WHEN I moved to Japan in 2012 to play for Mitsubishi Dynaboars, I was one of the first northern hemisphere players to try their luck in the Far East.
I had just finished my career with the Ospreys and Wales. I was used to everything that comes with international and professional rugby; things like cryotherapy recovery and top-quality facilities.
When I got to Japan, I remember that initially we trained on a grass field in the middle of the Mitsubishi factory and we had a Rocky-style gym which was pretty basic to be honest.
Japanese rugby has come a long, long way since then. Next season, ...