Dave Walder is relishing the chance of a "new adventure" when he joins the Mitsubishi Dynaboars.
Fly-half to leave England after 13 amazing seasons
Former England fly-half Dave Walder is relishing the chance of a "new adventure" when he moves to Japan.
The popular 32-year-old will make his final appearance in England for Wasps on Saturday before jetting off to play for Sagamihara Mitsubishi Dynaboars.
Walder, who made his senior debut for his hometown club before moving to the capital, will finally achieve his ambition of playing abroad after signing a two-year deal.
And having already been practicing his Japanese, he can't wait to make history by becoming the first England player to play in the country.
"I am looking to pave the way in some ways," Walder told
skysports.com.
"I will be the first Englishman from the Premiership to make the trip and if I do well they might think other players will be worth investing in.
Fancied
"I have already had players I know and have coached asking me about getting hooked up over there but I need to go out there and see what happens first."
Walder opted to finally make the move abroad despite being offered a contract extension at Wasps - and having other English clubs interested in signing him.
However Walder, who was capped just four times for England despite being one of the Premiership's most consistent performers over the years, felt the timing was now right to take the chance.
"Wasps only offered me a one-year deal and I was looking for two years," Walder said.
"I have always wanted to play abroad and had fancied it in France when I was a bit younger but things aren't as attractive over there now and I know of players who have had their fingers burned by clubs.
"Financially the move was right but it is not just about that. It is about the Japanese lifestyle, about learning a new language and the fact they only play about 12 games a season - and with six foreigners in my side and only two allowed on the pitch at one time, I will probably play less.
"It means there is less impact and pressure on the body. The side I am joining are in the second division and with eyes on promotion so there will be 12 games and then hopefully the play-offs.
Flattering
"It will certainly be different from Wasps. As the only fly-half at the club I have ended up playing more games than I would have expected at the start of the season. It is hard to play 35-odd good games, you will have dips in your form at times.
"It is initially a two-year deal. I am 33 on Saturday so I think realistically I have got two/three years of playing left so I will go out there and embrace it. After that I would like to be a player-coach for my last year, but whether that is in Australia, New Zealand, Japan or back here, we will have to see.
"I did have interest from other clubs here and I had a look around a couple of places. It was flattering but the timing to go abroad is right. I am about to get married and don't have kids so if I did another year or two here then the chance could have gone."
Although he has perhaps not received the same accolades he has deserved, Walder insists he will leave these shores with loads of happy memories.
"I have got too many memories and highlights to list," he said.
"But there was the last-minute try for Newcastle to win the Tetley's Cup against Quins in 2001. To score the winner for your hometown club is something dreams are made of.
"We won the Tetley's Bitter Cup again for Falcons and then there is the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership title at Wasps.
"I have been so lucky to have 13 of the most amazing seasons here and this is the end of the chapter, but the start of a new chapter as well.
"It will be sad to be leaving and the support I have received from my family and the fans at both Newcastle and Wasps has been amazing, but this is the start of a new adventure."
