Negotiations were concluded between the parties last month, with a 15th franchise set to be based in Australia and the season extended.

"We don't want to (play in Super Rugby) because we have 20 of the biggest sponsors in the world which spends between $US5-6 million on rugby teams," Kirwan told AAP. "So I can't see the point in having one franchise in Tokyo, all we're going to do is annoy Toyota which has a $US1 billion marketing budget."

"We don't see it has any future. We believe in a strong home competition. We need to keep it strong so we have 200 or 300 Japanese playing at a high level. We're doing that through getting Georgie Gregan and Steve Larkham up there this year. Our competition is getting better year in, year out. I thinkSuper Rugby, in its current format, would break that down."

Henson has endured an injury-ravaged season, returning for Wales' two final Six Nations games before suffering his ankle injury on domestic duty - ruling him out of the British & Irish Lions tour.

"Gavin has responded well to rehab, his ankle in now functional but not up to full match readiness," said Towers. "He is another who is on target to return to normal pre-season training with the rest of the squad at the end of June."

He's (Pretorius) interested," Mitch Hardy, general manager of the Western Force, told SAPA. "(Coach) John Mitchell's had a chat to him and we've put an offer in front of him and we are just waiting for a decision.

"He has to weigh up where his rugby aspirations lie as to whether he still aspires to play for the Springboks and be involved in Currie Cup campaigns back in South Africa. We are hoping that the contract we put together will allow him to achieve both those options."

The Force are also hoping to snare Waratahs and Wallby prop Matt Dunning for the new season.