NORTH Walian prop Eifion Lewis Roberts is set for a big-money move to French side Toulon
The 30-year-old Wales international from Ruthin, is expected to confirm his move from English Premiership side Sale Sharks to play in the French Top 14.
If the move goes ahead he will link up once again with his former Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre, who since swapping Stockport for the Cote d’Azur in the summer of 2009 has persuaded a number of high-profile Sale stars to join him at Toulon.
Lewis-Roberts – who has been sidelined since early September with a serious knee injury – first emerged as a target for Saint-Andre back in late 2009 but eventually opted to sign a new contract at Edgeley Park.
But having altered the terms of that new contract from a three-year deal to a 12-month agreement, his availability has again alerted Saint-Andre and this time it looks like he has got his man.
It is thought that Lewis-Roberts, who will be swapping his Ruthin roots for life by the Mediterranean, could almost double his salary when he moves.
And Sale head coach Pete Anglesea admitted that when players are tempted by French clubs who have double the salary cap enforced in the Premiership, English sides are powerless to compete.
Anglesea said: “Possibly it might be money that Eifion is looking at and if that is the case then obviously France is the place to go as that is where the cash is.
“If he is looking for a culture change then again France is the place to go – likewise with the weather.
“Ultimately, it’s all about Eifion and what he wants to do. If he wants to stay obviously there’s an opportunity for him here – if he wants to leave then we’ll wish him all the best.
“In terms of money and from a wages point of view we can’t compete with most of the big French clubs and neither can most of the clubs here in the Premiership.
“One thing that Eifion been injured has done is give two young lads in Lee Imiolek and Henry Thomas a chance which they’ve grabbed with both hands.
“As for Eifion, he’s been a great servant for Sale and we’re hoping to get him back before the end of the season. He’s had quite a nasty injury but if we could get him back it would be a bonus for us.”
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