Worcester Warriors lose two players to Japan

Worcester Warriors

So at the end of this season, Shane Drahm and Drew Hickey are heading off to Kubota Spears - a Japanese team. While it is understandable that the two want to move on - Drahm appeared to have fallen out of favour after being dropped after a bad performance against Harlequins and Hickey was competing against a group of high quality youngsters for the same position, and wasn’t getting regular game time - it still seems odd that they would head off to Japan.

While they may have fallen from grace slightly, it is important to remember that they are good players, which makes this seem a bit of an odd decision. Was there really no other premiership team interested in either of them? Though I guess taking Worcester’s castoffs isn’t the best strategy for getting the best players in the league.

While I am sure they are getting well paid for playing in Japan, will it be anything like playing in the Guinness Premiership? Is there the same level of skill and dedication as there is in England, and indeed France? I can’t say that I follow Japanese rugby, but if their National team is anything to go by, it won’t be near the same standard as what they are used to.

js @ February 8, 2008