The days of flexible contracting that allows players to split their years across Hemispheres could be numbered as Japan mulls the long-term structure of the Top League competition..
In recent years, flexible contracts have become more common in Super Rugby where players can play Top League in the summer and return for the start of Super Rugby.
Wallabies flanker David Pocock is among those Australians who have in recent years spent time in the Top League before returning to Australia.
More mid-tier players have also taken up the chance in growing numbers in recent years, giving them more time on the field even without Test chances.
Currently that has been made possible with the Japanese Top League season starting in September and finishing in January, allowing players to return to Australia or New Zealand and start the Super Rugby season.
The Japanese Top League season was postponed in 2019,because of the Rugby World Cup, kicking off in January before ultimately being paused in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That schedule allowed Japan coach Jamie Joseph to bring the bulk of his international squad into camp leading into the international season, a year that ultimately culminated in a World Cup quarter-final berth.
It is believed that Joseph is in favour of a later start to the season, something that would allow the national team to stay together during the critical parts of the Test calendar.
The 2020 Top League season is set to begin in December and run until March, making the dual contracting options more difficult for Super Rugby players looking to try and balance both.
Japanese clubs have tended to provide little flexibility when it comes to their imports, as seen with Kintetsu's likely reluctance to green light Quade Cooper's interest in moving to the NRL.
Debate has swirled in Japan around the timing and structure of its professional competitions in 2021 and beyond and the decision could have flow-on effects for Super Rugby players, particularly given the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia's players are bracing for major pay cuts, with a deal likely to be finalised on Monday, and it has been reported that some of Australia's highest-paid players are pushing for sabbatical or overseas options as part of the arrangement.
Japanese teams and players are being paid as usual amid the pandemic, with the ownership structure of teams much different to that in other countries, potentially making the lure of Japanese moves all that more tempting.
Wales squad members contract virus
Wales coach Wayne Pivac has revealed that at least two of the international squad has contracted Coronavirus.
The UK has been one of the regions hit hardest by COVID-19 with 114,217 confirmed cases of the virus and 15,464 deaths.
Pivac told 1 NEWS in the UK that a number of players in the Wales squad had contracted the disease.
The players have reportedly all recovered.
"It's ripping through the communities here," he said.
"At the moment we've had two or three cases that I'm aware of within our squad."
Wales is scheduled to next play against Japan on June 27 before two Tests against New Zealand and though all rugby's July series are in doubt, Pivac said he didn't want to see those games lost.
"I don't think anyone wants these games to be cancelled, we need them to be played," Pivac added.
"We need the money into the game for the game to survive. We're all in the same boat there."
Five former Springboks have also been among those infected - Danie Gerber, Divan Serfontein, Colin Beck, Burger Geldenhuys and Robbie Blair all tested positive after a golf day last month.
The quartet, and some relatives who also tested positive, have since recovered.
Habana goes full superhero
Springboks legend Bryan Habana took a lighter approach to fashion on a recent grocery trip.
Habana posted a photo on Instagram dressed in full superhero costume to head to the supermarket after a three-week lockdown.
"Leaving the house for the 1st time in 3 weeks to go and buy groceries... might as well do it like a superhero...," he wrote.
Might as well, indeed.
Iso videos filling the social void
The upside of isolation has been the emergence of plenty of creative videos of how people are filling the
Aussie Sevens co-captain Sharni Williams shared one of the more entertaining clips of a "mermaid" friend of hers trying to replicate a breakdown.
Wests Bulldogs in Brisbane also went somewhat viral this week with a TikTok from one of their players, Richard Blanch, and his #PropLyf.
Buy a piece of rugby history
Ever wanted to own a special piece of rugby memorabilia and have a spare $500,000 lying around? This could be your chance.
Jonah Lomu's shorts from the inaugural Super 12 final that featured the Blues playing the Sharks are being auctioned off on Trade Me.
The current owner bought the shorts for $4800 originally is putting them up for sale, with 50 per cent of the proceeds reportedly going to children's charities like the Ronald McDonald House.
Classic matches on RUGBY.com.au
We've had another weekend of ripper classic rugby content on RUGBY.com.au.
Each weekend we're featuring a classic Super Rugby game on Friday night and a classic Wallabies Test on Saturday night, as well as a Shute Shield and Queensland Premier Rugby clash at 3pm each day.
If you have a game that you'd like to see us play, send us a message on Instagram or Facebook and it could feature in an upcoming poll.
Look out for polls on Wednesday and Thursday on our Facebook to help choose which matches are broadcast on the weekend.
Four games a weekend not enough? Check out all the matches so far on rugby.com.au's new Classic Matches hub on our homepage.
