As a sports reporter, it’s incredible to see the stars getting Japanese youth into rugby

In this leafy corner of Tokyo, away from the neon shimmer of the city’s pulsing centre, with its scrambled intersections and endless flow of people, it’s quite a sight to see so many icons clustered in one area

Jonny Wilkinson and others are doing a great service (AFP/Getty)

The whole gang is there. Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio, two heroes from the first and last English side to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. The former is teaching kicking, naturally. The latter is on passing, oddly. Bryan Habana is also lurking nearby. With retirement not long behind him, the South African looks like he’s still got it as he dazzles the young kids with a flashy display of tricks and flicks.

Shane Williams and Brian O’Driscoll are similarly in the mix, so too Toshiaki Hirose, George Gregan and Will Greenwood. It’s a who’s who of rugby greats, with a total of five World Cup medals between them – and countless other trinkets and accolades, for that matter.

In this leafy corner of Tokyo, away from the neon shimmer of the city’s pulsing centre, with its scrambled intersections and endless flow of people, it’s quite a sight to see so many icons clustered in one area. Whereas in past years these men will have traded blows on the pitch, this time there’s no hostiles or animosities. Those days are behind them.