The futures of Wales internationals Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell are likely to be decided over the coming weeks.
Both players have left their respective Welsh regions, the Ospreys and Scarlets, and look set to leave Wales to pursue opportunities overseas. WalesOnline understands Anscombe, who is currently in Wales' first Rugby World Cup training camp in Switzerland, is on the shopping list of a number of Japanese clubs while he had been previously linked with French clubs Pau and Racing 92.
Anscombe has been a tremendous servant to Wales since joining Cardiff from the Chiefs in 2014, winning 39 caps, and playing a key role in their 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam campaign. But given Welsh rugby is about to enter a period of severe austerity which will see all four regional playing budgets eventually drop to £4.5million it is unlikely any side could afford to keep the talented playmaker in Wales.
"I am looking forward to staying injury-free and hope the next steps will unfold in the next couple of weeks," said Anscombe in an interview in May. "Do I stay in Wales? I don't know. I probably have in the back of my head where I would like to go but have to be open to anything."
Cardiff are in the market for an outside-half but have faced financial difficulties and are trying to sign South African outside-half Tinus de Beer from Currie Cup outfit the Pumas. Japan is an attractive proposition for many players given the lucrative wages on offer and the fact the league is far less physical than the northern hemisphere or Super Rugby.
Japan will be home to Wales full-back Liam Williams next season who has signed for Kubota Spears along with second-row Cory Hill. Patchell is another Wales outside-half who has been on the market since getting released by the Scarlets.
The 30-year-old was wanted by the Dragons, and has also been linked with French clubs Agen and Biarritz Olympique. WalesOnline has also learnt there has been interest from America's Major League Rugby for the 22-cap international who missed out on Wales' extended World Cup training squad. Both players have big decisions to make on their futures.
