Toulon snatch up England duo

Toulon  confirmed they will be signing England stars Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam to the Cote d’Azur this summer.

Sinckler, the 31 year old Bristol Bears tight-head prop, began his career with Harlequins and has earned 69 England caps and another seven for The Lions on two tours, arrives on a three-year deal.

A World Cup finalist in 2019 and a member of Steve Borthwick’s squad that finished third in France last year, he admitted that he was honoured to represent a club as special as Toulon.

“I will give the best of myself to represent the Red & Black jersey with dignity. I also want to test myself in the best championship and against the best props every weekend and to be able to contribute to Toulon’s future successes," said Toulon’s sporting director, Laurent Emmanuelli.

Meanwhile, loose forward Ludlam, 28, has also signed a three-year deal, off the back of a successful Northampton Saints Premiership season that saw the team win th the trophy against Bath at Twickenham.

The 6’3, 111kg Ludlam, is utility loose forward, was tipped for the Lions tour to Australia. He has made 126 appearances for Saints, his only club, and was capped 24 times by England.

“Lewis is a player we have been following for some time. Always present at the forefront of the fight, a good defender, able to provide solutions in touch and scratch balls, Lewis is one of the players of character as our supporters love them. “He also has significant leadership qualities since he has been the captain of the Saints for three seasons now," Emmanuelli said.