Sharks To Sign Welsh Prop Francis

The 33-year-old former Exeter Chiefs and Ospreys tighthead has been playing for Provence in France’s Pro D2 since leaving Wales in 2023.

On the international scene, Tomas made his Wales debut in 2015 and has gone on to win 77 caps, playing in three World Cups. He was a part of the last Welsh team to win a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019.

Tomas follows Leicester loosehead Nicky Smith to become the second Welsh international prop to agree to a move to Manchester for next season.

Tomas said: “I had a really good time at Exeter so I know the Prem well and I’m looking forward to playing with guys like Luke Cowan-Dickie again.

“I’ve had a real adventure in France but I wanted to take the next step and after I spoke to Alex, I knew this was the right move. Something really exciting is building at Sale. They play the kind of rugby I love, it’s a top four squad and I want to be a part of that.

“When I heard my mate Nicky Smith was joining next season as well, it clinched it.

“My first experience of rugby was watching Sale as a child and my first rugby shirt was a Sharks shirt with ‘Francis 3’ on the back. This is the perfect place for me. It’s a brilliant full circle moment.

 “I love playing for Wales and I’ve still got aspirations to pull on that red shirt again. Playing at the top level every week, in a team that’s competing at the top of the Prem is the best way to do that.”

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Tom’s got a huge amount of experience. He’s got almost 80 caps but he’s got the ambition and drive to play in another World Cup.

“When I spoke to him, that drive was really inspiring. At his age he still wants to play at the very top level and he sees this club as a way to do that.

“Adding him and Nicky to the squad is fantastic because that’s almost 140 caps of experience. On the field Tom will be brilliant but off the field, I know that experience will really benefit our younger props like Asher and Bevan.”

York-born Tomas began his career at Malton and North RFC, before being snapped up as a 19-year-old by Doncaster Knights.

He spent a year at Castle Park before switching to London Scottish, and then on to Sandy Park, where he made 120 appearances and was a key part of the side that won the Prem and Champions Cup double in 2020.

He switched South West England for Swansea in 2021 and made 27 appearances for the Ospreys before moving to France.