forward Paul Volley has signed a two year contract to play for Castres, according to the French club's manager Christian Gajan.
European Cup finalists London Wasps' backrow forward Paul Volley has signed a two year contract to play for Castres, according to the French club's manager Christian Gajan.
But before he takes up his new position Volley has some outstanding work to do for his London side - namely helping the English champions beat France's reigning European titleholders Toulouse in the May 23 final at Twickenham.
"He's a versatile player," said Gajan, who made the signing with a view to strengthening his squad for next season's European Cup.
Meanwhile, ailing two-time European champions Leicester Tigers look set to sign Wales highly-rated fly-half Stephen Jones according to sources from his Welsh side Llanelli Scarlets.
The 26-year-old's contract comes to an end at the end of this campaign and he has been subject to bids from England and France but the Tigers look to have won the race after they sought a replacement for former Springbok Jaco Van der Westhuyzen who is on his way to Japanese side NEC .
Leicester met with the 40-times capped Jones last Wednesday to discuss a deal. "The WRU and regions are doing their best to secure players to make sure they stay in Wales," Jones told BBC Wales' Scrum V programme.
"But if you look to English and French clubs they have huge gates every other week and you can understand why they are throwing a lot of money around."
Jones's impressive showings in the World Cup and then the Six Nations - in which he finished top scorer with 55 points - made him one of the most sought after players and with the English and French clubs wielding more financial muscle it was always unlikely Llanelli could keep him.
The painful state of their finances and their inability to offer attractive packages to their players was put into perspective by Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins. "There are players within my squad who have been offered huge amounts of money to play in England," Jenkins said.
"That's a big concern because we cannot match them. We do not have the money - it's as simple as that.
"Stephen has got a decision to make that will affect the rest of his life. He knows what he's got here. He understands what this club has given him and what it can offer him."
It is a worrying time for Welsh rugby and its five fledgling regional sides. The English and French clubs look set to sign the best players in a manner not seen since rugby league scouts stripped the Valleys during the amateur days.
Wales record try-scorer Gareth Thomas is close to agreeing a 200,000 pounds a season move to European champions Toulouse, although his present side Celtic Warriors will receive a transfer fee as he is still under contract.
However Welsh speedster Shane Williams has rejected overtures from France and decided to stay on for another three years with Neath-Swansea Ospreys.
AFP - 2004.