The Japanese Prime League hopes to draw England stars Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje because it pursues its ambition to turn into the world’s premier rugby competitors, its president stated.

The well-heeled league has swelled its ranks of overseas gamers for the reason that 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, with New Zealand’s two-time World Participant of the Yr Beauden Barrett amongst them.

Australian captain Michael Hooper and former All Blacks skipper Kieran Learn are each at Toyota Verblitz, whereas New Zealand scrum-half TJ Perenara performs for NTT Docomo Crimson Hurricanes.

At least six of South Africa’s World Cup profitable groups play in Japan, the place the groups are funded by main firms.

However the Prime League, lengthy a vacation spot for Southern Hemisphere stars with profitable short-term contracts, is now turning to European gamers because it tries to climb above the Prime 14 of France and the highest 14. the British Premiership.

“We need to be the most effective league on the earth,” stated league president Osamu Ota.

“It will not occur instantly, however we’ve got a transparent imaginative and prescient and we’re transferring ahead step-by-step.”

England captain Farrell and second row Itoje each play for the Saracens, who have been relegated from the Premiership final season as punishment for repeated wage cap violations.

George Kruis left Saracens for Japan final yr, whereas fellow England worldwide Alex Goode is on mortgage from the London membership.

“I’d be actually glad if gamers like Owen Farrell and Itoje got here right here,” Ota stated.

“NEC signed Alex Goode and Panasonic signed George Kruis each from Saracens, so we’re creating an excellent pipeline with brokers from completely different nations.”

In line with media studies, Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones has obtained a suggestion from Japan, whereas former Scottish skipper Greig Laidlaw performs for NTT Communications Shining Arcs.

“All Blacks and Wallabies gamers have been coming right here for a very long time, and it is a pure development that gamers within the northern hemisphere are beginning to think about in Japan after the World Cup as properly,” stated Ota.

He added that the Prime League’s shorter season of round 5 months made it a horny proposition and that Japan’s low crime charge, delicacies and tradition have been additionally promoting factors.

Barrett actually appears to get pleasure from enjoying in Japan, gathering 52 factors in his first three video games to guide the standings.

The better Tokyo space is underneath a viral emergency till at the least March 21, and participation in sporting occasions is restricted to five,000 or half capability, whichever is much less.

However the pleasure was excessive for Barrett’s first look within the capital on Saturday, which solely lasted 12 minutes earlier than the sport was known as off because of a thunderstorm.

“I really like him – he is a tremendous participant,” Suntory fan Michiko Kuramoto stated earlier than kick-off.

“I noticed him play on the World Cup, and I assumed he was so cool and good trying and an ideal participant, so I grew to become a fan. I used to be shocked to be taught that he was coming right here.

The pandemic compelled the abandonment of final yr’s Prime League season after six rounds, and Japan haven’t performed since shedding to South Africa of their first Cup quarter-final of the world in 2019.

A COVID-19 outbreak has additionally delayed the beginning of the present Prime League season by a month.

However Ota believes it isn’t too late to capitalize on the momentum of the World Cup, because the partly novice Prime League prepares to relaunch subsequent season with a extra skilled construction.

“The benchmark for the leagues is the Prime 14,” he stated.

“That is the aim we’re aiming for. We’re finding out the most effective elements of the Prime 14 and the Premiership, and we need to preserve bettering.