Here’s the morning rugby headline for Wednesday 3 January.

Billy Vunipola is “negotiating” a lucrative move to Japan

England star Billy Vunipola is in talks to join Gareth Anscombe’s Suntory Sungoliath, according to the Daily Mail.

The 31-year-old was previously linked with a move to Tokyo but instead signed a contract extension with Premier League champions Saracens. But after the World Cup, he hasn’t had as much playing time as he would have liked and may be looking for his next step in Asia.

Many players choose the Land of the Rising Sun for its good offers. One of them is Welsh star Anscombe. The Welsh defender remains under contract in Japan, despite Suntory Sangoliath canceling their registration for the Japanese Premier League season after the defender underwent surgery.

The season in Japan runs until May and Anscombe is keen to return in time to play a decent part of the season. It remains to be seen whether Vunipola will join him and Liam Williams in Japan.

Dupont in seven training sessions

France captain Antoine Dupont will take part in his first day of rugby sevens training today ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, the French Rugby Federation has announced.

The talismanic scrum-half announced in November that he would miss the upcoming Six Nations to move up to the sevens and represent his country at this summer’s home Games. There is a chance he will also miss the 2025 championships as he is rumored to move to Japan after the Olympics.

DuPont will join 16 other players on Wednesday at the National Marcus Center ahead of two World Sevens events in Vancouver and Los Angeles in February and March, respectively. He will briefly return to Toulouse at the end of the season before returning to the Seven program for the Olympic Games in July.

He previously told BBC Radio 5 Live he was “really excited but a bit scared” about the big move, adding: “It’s going to be a very busy year but I love it and I’m excited.”

Announcing the change, he said: “For all sports fans, the Olympic Games are a myth. “The opportunity to celebrate a sporting event of this type in France will be an incredible celebration.”

Barclay clarifies the “truck” comment.

Former Scotland international John Barclay has attempted to explain comments he made after tagging a truck during the Ospreys’ United Rugby Championship match against Cardiff by making a “mockery of the league”.

The former Scarlets defender made the statement after posting an image of people watching the Ospreys’ 27-21 victory in Bridgend from the back of a truck. Posting a photo of the truck behind a set of posts, Barclay said: “It was at the Ospreys v Cardiff game. “This is a mockery of the league.”

However, one truck was used for a pregame singer, while the other was used as a jersey museum at Brewery Field.

Some fans found Barclay’s comments harsh, with one user responding: “The pre-game stands that several fans jumped into and were quickly asked to leave mocking the league? I think the extravagance of intercontinental travel might be a safer argument for this.”

Another responded: “It wasn’t a platform. Temporal structure of the band. These comments are unfair to Bridgend and Ospreys.

Faced with the violent reaction, Barclay writes on the platform xreplied: “A few points to clarify my point of view: 1. I watched the game. It was a good game. 2. The game is experiencing difficulties and needs sponsorship. 3. Backers need to see the game in the best light possible to invest. 4. Playing on a non-standard field with trucks behind is not a good game.”

Bristol Fiji Star Mata Sign

Bristol have announced the signing of striker Viliame Mata from Fiji and Edinburgh.

Mata, who scored for Fiji against rivals England in the World Cup quarter-finals in October, will move to Bristol for the 2024-25 season. The 32-year-old has made over 100 appearances for Edinburgh since joining in 2016.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “William is one of the most powerful and exciting defensive forwards in the game and we are delighted to add his world-class player to our squad next season. Register here for our WalesOnline rugby WhatsApp service.

“His performances as a centurion for Edinburgh and in the recent Rugby World Cup in France for Fiji demonstrated his experience and ability at the highest level.”