Japanese World Cup star Kotaro Matsushima made an impressive debut for French Top 14 side Clermont on Saturday in a preseason exhibition match with Bordeaux Begles.
Matsushima featured as a fullback in the first half of Clermont's 27-13 loss and was able to show a sample of his speed and defensive strength that helped Japan reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time last year.
"I was up to the pace of the game and pretty good at catching high balls, so I want to keep playing with confidence," he said.
Matsushima said he was "able to communicate well" throughout the match with his new teammates at Clermont, who finished runner-up in the 2018-2019 season before last season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Head coach Franck Azema said he was more than pleased with Matsushima's performance and was not surprised by his pace or technique as he expects him to serve as one of the team's strengths in the upcoming season.
The warm-up match provided the 27-year-old with an opportunity to get used to a higher level of physicality, with Matsushima noting that players of Bordeaux -- who topped the table last season before its cancelation -- were stronger and tackled harder than what he was used to in Japan's Top League.
Matsushima had played for Suntory Sungoliath since the 2014-2015 Top League season before inking with Clermont earlier this year.
He led the Brave Blossoms with five tries at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan before they were knocked out by South Africa in the last eight.
Clermont will face reigning champions Toulouse when the Top 14 season begins in early September.
