Toulon’s president, Bernard Lemaitre, announced on today that England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam will join the French club on three-year contracts starting next season.
The move to the three-time European Cup winners means both players will be ineligible for England selection, as current Rugby Football Union (RFU) criteria prohibit the selection of players based abroad.
Ludlam, who serves as the captain of Northampton Saints, played a significant role in the World Cup, earning his 25th and final cap during the third-place play-off against Argentina. Despite this, he was absent from the recent Six Nations tournament.
Sinckler, a tighthead prop for Bristol Bears, last represented England in the Rugby World Cup, accumulating 68 caps. However, he was left out of the squad for the 2024 Six Nations by head coach Steve Borthwick.
Commenting on the signings, Lemaitre stated to AFP, “They are two good signings who will complete our forward pack for many years. They respond to the profiles we’re looking for in our recruitment, we’re trying to have higher expectations on mentality, behaviour, and lifestyle of players like their impressive compatriot Dave Ribbans.”
5 biggest and strongest rugby union beasts in the world
Rugby is a sport where superhuman players will strike fear into their opposite numbers, be it with their colossal height, huge weight or Herculean strength.
1. Andrew Porter – Ireland
Lions contender Porter is poised to make a sizeable impact for Ireland moving forward.
The 28-year-old Leinster loosehead, who has won 64 caps, is a huge carrier, massive in the scrum and is renowned for his freakish ability in the gym.
According to Jonny Waterson in The Irish Times: “Noted for his strength, Porter, if the figure doing the rounds is accurate, can squat 350kg (772lb) or, if you like, three Cian Healys. Quite an effective mass of cleaning-out power.”