Clermont take to Instagram to celebrate arrival of new signing Matsushima

Clermont have unveiled the arrival of their summer signing Kotaro Matsushima from Suntory Sungoliath. The Top 14 outfit shared a photo from Stade Marcel Michelin on social media and the Japanese winger is set to start training on Monday. 

This may not have been a signing that carried much fanfare this time last year, but the 27-year-old’s stock rose dramatically after the World Cup. As Jamie Joseph’s side took the tournament by storm, Matsushima showed what a high-grade finisher he is. 

Although the Brave Blossoms succumbed to eventual world champions South Africa in the quarter-finals, Matsushima finished with a haul of five tries, the third-most in the tournament. It included his hat-trick against Russia in the opening match. 

French outfit Clermont signed Matsushima in January and his arrival now comes with a lot of anticipation, particularly with the departures of Nick Abendanon and Remy Grosso this summer from the Top 14 club. 

Having played for Toulouse’s under-21 team in 2011, this is not the first time Matsushima will be exposed to French rugby, which is stylistically different from the Top League. 

"https://www.asm-rugby.com/actus">also be preparing for a home Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Racing 92. Meanwhile, the Top League season in Japan was also abandoned in March.