Toulon has expressed interest in acquiring the services of Lewis Ludlam, the English back-row player from Northampton. Ludlam’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and his performance at the World Cup in France has certainly caught their attention.
Previously, Toulon successfully secured the signing of David Ribbans, a second-row player from Northampton, before the start of this season.
Now, they are reportedly keen on pursuing Ludlam as well, as reported by The Rugby Paper.
Ludlam, who has accumulated 113 appearances and scored 15 tries for the Saints, began his career as a centre.
He originally hails from Ipswich, later moving to Colchester, and then attending St Joseph’s College in Northampton.
Ludlam’s rise in the 2018/19 season culminated with a call-up to the Rugby World Cup in Japan, where he represented England. He earned six caps during England’s journey to the final of the tournament and even scored his first international try against the USA.
In November 2020, Ludlam was appointed as a co-captain of the club, sharing the responsibility with Alex Waller.
He eventually assumed the captain’s role on his own during the 2021/22 season, marking his 100th appearance for the Saints in a game against the Newcastle Falcons. This achievement coincided with his team securing a place in the Premiership semi-finals.
Martin Johnson dream team:
BACK-THREE:
Fullback: Serge Blanco (France) – “A great France full back who dominated games.”
Winger: Joe Roff (Australia) – “You’d put David Campese up there but Roff is my choice. A fantastic all-round rugby player, and old-style wing.”
Winger: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – “Not much difficulty in choosing one of the most awesome wings to have ever played.”
CENTRES:
Outside-centre: Philippe Sella (France) – “I used to watch him as a kid on TV and think he was brilliant; and then ten years later I played against him and he was still brilliant. He still looks as if he could play for France today. One of the best backs I’ve ever seen. If you hit him it was like running into concrete.”
Inside-centre: Danie Gerber (South Africa) – “Scored a hat-trick against England in the first half in one match in the 1980s. He didn’t play many Tests because of apartheid, but he had power and pace. I don’t know if he could pass: it seemed like he never needed to. I played against him in a charity match in 1996 when he must have been well into his 40s, he was still awesome.”