Scotland international Matt Mustchin is set to quit Edinburgh at the end of the season to join Japanese side NTT Docomo Kansai.
Scotland international heading to Japan
Scotland international Matt Mustchin is set to quit Edinburgh at the end of the season to become player-coach at Japanese team NTT Docomo Kansai.
The New Zealand-born lock only qualified for Scotland on the residency grounds, having joined Edinburgh from Ulster in 2005.
However with the 31-year-old ruled out of the RBS Six Nations following ankle surgery, he is now unlikely to add to his tally of five caps.
But Mustchin insists that he has no regrets about heading to Japan.
"When I came here, some people saw me as just being a journeyman rugby player, but I will leave as a full-capped player," he said.
"It has been awesome and I have loved every minute. If you would have asked me four years ago if I was going to be a Scottish international then I would have laughed in your face.
"My son, Sam was born here, so he will always have a bond with the country and my daughter Cara has grown up here, but we felt it was time for a new challenge."
Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson hailed the impact of Mustchin during his team in the Scottish capital.
Robinson said: "Matt has been a great servant for Edinburgh and his contribution to the team during my time here has been of the highest quality culminating in two excellent performances for Scotland in Argentina.
"The whole of Edinburgh wishes him and his family the very best for their move to Japan."
