This is a list of men's foreign international Test-capped players that play or have played in the Top League/Japan Rugby League One. In this list are included the foreign players that play or have played in the Japanese professional rugby union system (since 2003).
In a 2025 paper published by the Nagoya Gakuin University Research Institute of Nagoya Gakuin University examining the composition and dynamics of international migrant players (MPs) in the Japan Rugby League One, with a focus on the league's evolving international player base and the its challenges shaping Japanese rugby, it was found that of the 407 registered players in the top eight teams during the 2022–23 Division 1 season (Saitama Wild Knights, Tokyo Sungoliath, Kubota Spears, Toshiba Brave Lupus, Toyota Verblitz, Yokohama Canon Eagles, Kobe Steelers, Shizuoka Blue Revs), 29.5% (120) were foreign, with 38.3% (46) of that cohort being internationally-capped.
Some of the most prominent and successful players have played in the Top League/Japan Rugby League One, including multiple Rugby World Cup winners Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, and Pieter-Steph du Toit. Due to the league's foreign player quota, these players have often been marquee signings, and are frequently ranked among the highest-paid players in the world.
List Argentina
Santiago González Iglesias Pablo Matera Nicolás Sánchez Tomás Vallejos
Australia
Adam Ashley-Cooper Berrick Barnes Matt Cockbain Quade Cooper Nick Cummins Bernard Foley Will Genia Mark Gerrard Liam Gill Matt Giteau George Gregan Nathan Grey Daniel Heenan Digby Ioane Toutai Kefu Samu Kerevi Marika Koroibete Stephen Larkham Ben McCalman Sean McMahon Isi Naisarani Mark Nawaqanitawase Hunter Paisami Wycliff Palu Jordan Petaia David Pocock Joe Roff Paddy Ryan George Smith Sam Talakai
Canada
Colin Yukes
England
Freddie Burns Riki Flutey James Haskell George Kruis Joe Launchbury Geoff Parling
Fiji
Seremaia Bai Sireli Bobo Tevita Ikanivere Kele Leawere Viliame Mata Nemani Nadolo Semi Radradra Waisale Serevi Seta Tamanivalu Marika Vunibaka
Ireland
James Lowe
Italy
Dino Lamb
New Zealand
Beauden Barrett Steven Bates George Bridge Tony Brown Sam Cane Dan Carter Jerry Collins Ryan Crotty Aaron Cruden Stephen Donald Samipeni Finau Shannon Frizell Rico Gear David Havili Jackson Hemopo David Hill Richard Kahui Jerome Kaino Anton Lienert-Brown Leon MacDonald Damian McKenzie Richie Mo'unga Ma'a Nonu TJ Perenara Stephen Perofeta Kieran Read Brodie Retallick Ardie Savea Colin Slade Aaron Smith Ben Smith Shaun Stevenson Tom Taylor Mark Tele'a Patrick Tuipulotu Reuben Thorne Matt Todd Brad Weber Sam Whitelock Sonny Bill Williams
Samoa
Seilala Mapusua Semo Sititi Alesana Tuilagi
Scotland
Blair Cowan Jack Dempsey Richie Gray Nick Grigg Greig Laidlaw
South Africa
Damian de Allende Kurt-Lee Arendse Lukhanyo Am Andries Bekker Thinus Delport Eben Etzebeth Aphelele Fassi Jacque Fourie Lood de Jager Faf de Klerk Jesse Kriel Cheslin Kolbe Manie Libbok Malcolm Marx Franco Mostert Ruan Nortjé Wynand Olivier JP Pietersen Fourie du Preez Danie Rossouw Willie le Roux Kwagga Smith François Steyn Pieter-Steph du Toit Jaco van der Westhuyzen Jasper Wiese Grant Williams
Tonga
Pierre Hola Sione Kalamafoni Nili Latu Finau Maka Charles Piutau Viliami Tahituʻa Epi Taione Sonatane Takulua Hale T-Pole Sione Tuʻipulotu Israel Folau
United States
Todd Clever Mike Hercus
Wales
Jake Ball Cory Hill Hadleigh Parkes Shane Williams
Notes
References
Bibliography