Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam to end England careers by signing for Toulon

Lewis Ludlam (right) and Kyle Sinckler will be team-mates in the Top 14

Toulon have confirmed that England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam will join the Top 14 club next season on three-year contracts.

The pair were not selected by Steve Borthwick for the Six Nations ahead of their expected moves abroad at the end of the season, with both players making their final appearances for England at last year’s Rugby World Cup.

“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.”

Sinckler, 30, will leave Bristol Bears after four years at the club, having started his career with Harlequins where he spent nine years with the first team. He has won 68 caps for England and seven for the British and Irish Lions.

Ludlam, 28, recently discussed his exit from Northampton this summer, with the club captain admitting that he would feel unfulfilled if he left Franklin’s Gardens without winning the Gallagher Premiership. Northampton are top of the table, two points ahead of Bath, despite their loss to Bristol last week. Ludlam has won 25 England caps.

“This is the last chance,” he said. It makes you that much more desperate, that much hungrier. Time is a great motivator. The fact is it’s a last opportunity. Courtney [Lawes] has already won one and I’m desperate to win one myself. I think we’re enjoying the pressure of that position and thriving off it.”

Sinckler and Ludlam join a large contingent of recent England internationals either playing or set to play in France, including the former captain Owen Farrell who has signed for Racing 92, where Henry Arundell is currently based, and Ludlam’s Northampton team-mate Lawes who is joining Brive.

Manu Tuilagi has signed for Bayonne, while Jack Willis is with Toulouse and Joe Marchant plays for Stade Français.

Ribbans, Jack Singleton and Kieran Brookes are all England international currently playing for Toulon, who are currently fifth in the Top 14 and 13 points behind leaders Stade Français.

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