One of the only members of Australia’s Lions series winning side of 2001 still playing professional rugby is set to swap France for Japan.
Veteran flanker George Smith started all three Tests for the Wallabies against Britain and Ireland’s elite nine years ago as Australia secured a 2-1 series victory.
Still only 30-years-old, Smith signed a one-year-deal with big-spending Toulon last June having previously spent his entire career with the ACT Brumbies.
The former dreadlocked star now looks set to join Japanese outfit the Sanyo Wild Knights on a three-season contract reportedly worth £681,000 per year.
Smith will join fellow Australians Sam Norton-Knight – a former marquee signing for Cardiff Blues – and Daniel Heenan, as well as ex-All Black fly-half Tony Brown at the Japanese Champions.
Twice a winner of Australia’s prestigious John Eales Medal, Smith won 110 caps for his country between 2000 and 2009.
