The All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan is leaving New Zealand rugby to play for English club Gloucester.
The Highlanders stalwart, who recently brought up his 100th match for the franchise, will head to the UK at the conclusion of this year's ITM Cup.
Cowan, who has played 94 times for Southland, hopes to bring up his 100th game for the Stags before calling time on his New Zealand career.
The 28-year-old has played 51 Tests for the All Blacks since making his Test debut against Italy in 2004.
Cowan made his provincial debut for Southland in 2000 and his Highlanders debut in 2003 captaining the side in the 2010 super rugby competition.
