Toulon sign England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam

Toulon have announced the signing of England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam ahead of the 2024/25 season on a three-year contract.

The news follows after former England skipper Owen Farrell has agreed to join Racing 92 while Manu Tuilagi, Jack Willis and Joe Marchant will be part of Bayonne, Toulouse and Stade Francais respectively.

Both the players were part of England's World Cup campaign last year in France but was not selected by head coach Steve Borthwick in the recently concluded Six Nations tournament. However, the move to Toulon will dent their chances of featuring for England again due to Rugby Football Union's policy of not selecting players plying trade overseas.

Sinckler started his career with Harlequins in 2011 and has made close to 150 appearances for them before heading to Bristol Bears in 2020. He has played 68 Tests for England apart from seven matches for the British and Irish Lions that came in the 2017 and 2021 tours.

Meanwhile, Ludlam has over 100 appearances with Northampton Saints and has 25 Test caps to his name.

“They are two good signings who will complete our forward pack for many years,” said Bernard Lemaitre, the Toulon president.

“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 [the former England and Northampton lock] Dave Ribbans.”