While the sun rises in Japan these days for George Kruis, the tantalising thought persists that it may not have set fully on his England career, with the 2023 World Cup on the horizon. The lock closed the door on international rugby when he left England in 2020 to take up a contract with Saitama Wild Knights, then bolted it in February when he announced his imminent retirement – or so it seemed. Despite the 32-year-old being “very content with my decision” as he pivots to entrepreneurial interests, the case for an encore in France next year is compelling. All he will admit to for now is a willingness to “approach those what-ifs in four weeks’ time”, because first his Japanese club have business to take care of. Anyone who thought Saracens were dominant – Kruis helped the English side collect four Premierships and three European Cups in a decade – should see the Wild Knights’ record. Kruis has yet to lose a competitive match in two seasons there, and wants to carry his winning habit through two more regular-season rounds and the playoffs in Japan Rugby League One. Life in the Far East appeals to a growing number of top players, judging by the messages he receives from afar. “There’s a lot of interest from Europe,” he said. “With salary cap issues and uncertainty around Covid-19, there’s been more transition for players and interest in what else is out there, whether it’s Super Rugby or Japan. Players can experience something different then come back and play for their country. “New Zealand are pretty far ahead on that, in giving players a shorter season and a mental refresh. I think it’s a brilliant way of resetting.” The examples of All Blacks such as Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick only raise the plausibility of Kruis adding to his 45 England caps when he leaves Japan this summer – even as his focus shifts from line-outs, and jerseys No 4 and 5, to fourfive, the wellness company he founded with fellow lock Dominic Day. Kruis maintains “a good enough dialogue” with England coach Eddie Jones, who could use an extra top-class second-row forward. A reunion could suit all parties. “I’d love to jump into that scenario-building, but we’ve got a job to do at Saitama and that is definitely my biggest focus,” Kruis said. “I’ve got a very good off-field opportunity with fourfive that I can’t ignore any longer. At the moment it’s a no, but never say never.” The rebranding Kruis – a member of the squad beaten in the final in 2019 – predicts England will “build nicely” to the next World Cup. For now, though, they are in flux. “England were clearly a team who were big on defence, set-piece and kicking,” he said. “The laws have changed in the last two years and it favours more attacking teams. That whole transition is something you can’t really foresee as a coach. It means squads need to change.” That, he said, is “always a rough journey”. Can they stabilise in time for France 2023? “I think so. That’s heaps of time – 16 months. It’s a matter of how quickly they can [get through] this transition period.” England’s pool D opponents will include Japan, who Kruis feels retain a “surprise factor”. A gauge of that could come this July, when the Six Nations-winning French visit for two tests . “Japan are brilliant at sticking to a game plan,” Kruis said. “An area where they’ve come unstuck before is sheer size. That’s why I think these games could be telling, because that French team is massive. “The rules are moving more towards a quicker pace [suiting Japan] and more attacking. I think Japan will surprise a few teams and I hope for England’s sake it’s not them.” Long before facing the Brave Blossoms in Nice in September next year, England host the Barbarians – who have sounded out Kruis – this June. Even if Kruis avoids that word “never”, it could be a memorable way to head for the rugby sunset. “I think I’m down to play,” he said. “It would be a dream to finish on a trophy with Saitama, then the Baabaas.”