Adam Ashley-Cooper is the latest big name Wallaby to head to Japan while fellow Test back and NSW teammate Rob Horne will join UK Premiership side the Northampton Saints in a deal that will rule him out of contention for the 2019 World Cup.

Ashley-Cooper is understood to be signing with Top League side Kintetsu after being dumped by French club Bordeaux, meaning he will join good friend and fellow Wallaby Matt Giteau in Japan next season after the latter parted ways with Toulon.

Horne has signed a lucrative three-year deal with Northampton and will join a host of British Test stars including George North (Wales), England captain Dylan Hartley, centre Luther Burrell (England) and Courtney Lawes (England).

The move means the 33-Test centre, a Michael Cheika favourite despite an injury-hampered past two years, will miss the 2019 World Cup. Horne has not played enough Tests to qualify for selection overseas under the so-called Giteau Law, which mandates a 60-Test threshold for players contracted overseas.