Fly-half Grayson keeps international options open

James Grayson scored 617 points in 92 games for Northampton

Former Northampton Saints fly-half James Grayson is open to playing international rugby for Japan in the future following last year's move away from the Premiership.

Fly-half Grayson, 25, joined Mitsubishi Dynobaurs on a short-term contract in November and has now agreed a new two-year deal.

Grayson missed much of the 2023 season because of a stress fracture in his foot and Fin Smith, now an England international, established himself as the regular starting number 10 for Saints.

"Fin's gone on and done amazing things. I've gone over there, been given the reins, taken my opportunity and I'm just really thankful that it's worked out that way," Grayson told BBC Radio Northampton.

Having previously played for England's Under-20 side, he would have to serve a five-year qualifying period to be eligible to play for Japan.

"My partner's going to move out in September with the dog, if we can get his vaccines sorted. I'm going to dig my teeth in for two years, it'll be three years in Japan then. You never know which way it might go, I might come back to England, I might carry on in Japan, [I'll] take it as it comes," he said.

"International rugby is definitely an ambition of mine. I'm never going to shut out the opportunity to play international rugby, whether that be for England or Japan.

"It's an amazing country and culture, and if I spend enough time there, then yes, 100%, I'd be open to playing for them."

Following his arrival, Grayson played 15 out of 16 league games for the Dynoboars in his first season.

He continued: "The set-up is really good. Basically, what happens in the league is that most of the clubs are companies; they have foreigners come in, maybe 10 per team, and the rest are made up of Japanese players, some of which are company workers.

"I'm the only English player, but there are South Africans, Australians and a couple of Kiwis as well. It's a nice balance, and we're mixed in with a lot of Japanese boys who are trying to speak English as well as us trying to speak Japanese. I am trying my hardest; it's easier said than done.

"I'm six months in now, and I still walk around Tokyo with my jaw on the floor. It's such a big city and such an amazing place that I don't think it will ever get boring. Walking down to the beach in the morning and seeing Mount Fuji is pretty cool as well."

Following Northampton-born Grayson's departure, Saints went on to win their first title for 10 years, beating Bath in last month's final at Twickenham.

He was back in the UK to attend both their play-off games and added: "Coming back to Northampton to see them lift the trophy was wonderful.

"I was privileged that I got to be a part of the build-up for the last seven years, and to be there in person and see those boys that I'm best mates with go and do that amazing thing is something I'm really proud of."

Interview by BBC Radio Northampton sports editor Graham McKechnie