George Ford linked with shock move away from Leicester Tigers

Montpellier head coach Philippe Saint-Andre is looking for a new fly-half for next season and has a considerable budget to do so.

The Rugby Paper suggest the 28-year-old, who has been dropped by England boss Eddie Jones, has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the club early if he wanted.

Despite Ford being on the French sides shortlist, it's believed they'd only be able to offer him in the region of £300,000 due to £1m they're already spending on Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard.

This likely won't be enough to tempt Ford away on this occasion, but based on current Premiership form you'd imagine more and more clubs will start making him offers.

DID YOU KNOW? George Ford is the son of former England defence coach Mike Ford. His older brother Joe was also a professional rugby player

The Saracens and England forwards have on more than one previous occasion dismissed similar suggestions – but nonetheless the rumours persist.

French sports newspaper Midi Olympique wrote: “Two of the best-known internationals still playing could be making an imminent departure to France.

“Mako and Billy Vunipola are coming to the end of their contracts with Saracens and are ignored by Eddie Jones.

“Their CVs have recently been submitted to Top 14 clubs and some contacts may already have been made.

“The name Vunipola comes up repeatedly at Bordeaux Bègles. Billy Vunipola matches the profile sought to succeed Louis Picamoles and become the new spearhead of the Girondin (an area around Bordeaux) pack."

There is rumoured to be serious interest from at least two Japanese clubs for Exeter Chiefs winger, despite the speedster signing a long-term deal to stay at Sandy park in 2020.

The 28-year-old has spent his entire professional career close to his hometown of Cornwall, but now two sides in Japan are preparing a package that may tempt him overseas for one or two seasons.

Having fallen out of favour with England head coach Eddie Jones, his last appearance for his country came against Argentina during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Nowell, who has won everything he possibly can with Exeter Chiefs following their Premiership and Champions Cup double in 2020, is thought to be a 'realistic' target for the Japanese sides.

Blacklisted by Jones, the scrum-half revealed earlier this year that he is interested in joining American Major League Rugby team the LA Giltinis after his time with Harlequins is over.

The former England scrum-half has been with Harlequins since 2006, and has been tearing it up with the south-west London club this season, despite turning 34 in January.

“I have never really thought about playing abroad until I saw the LA Giltinis team and I was like hang on, I like their kit, I like where they play, I like the place that they are from and I might be a good fit,” Care explained.

“Or if it’s not the Giltinis, it’s definitely something I would have a look at.“

Last month The Rugby Paper reported that Top 14 glamour side Toulon had ‘opened talks’ with the former British and Irish Lion over moving to the Cote d-Azur despite Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin McDonald confirming in February that Joseph, along with fellow England stars Beno Obano and Anthony Watson are all in contract for at least the 2021/22 season.

This week French newspaper Le Figaro report a technical malfunction on Toulon's webstie effectively saw them announce the signing of Joseph over the weekend before removing the post.

However, an empty player profile with the URL Jonathan Joseph can still be found on the Top 14 side’s website further adding fuel to the fire.