NSW Waratahs centre Joey Walton signs with French club

NSW Waratahs centre Joey Walton will leave the Super Rugby Pacific side at the end of the 2026 season after signing a deal with an overseas club. Walton has signed on with French outfit US Montauban (USM Sapiac) through to 2028.

Walton has previously been invited to Wallabies training camps and has represented Australia A on three occasions, including a start against a Japan XV last October. The 25-year-old also made appearances against England A in 2024 and Tonga the year before.

Future Wallabies Angus Bell, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Mawk Nawaqanitawase and Noah Lolesio were among those who played for the Australia U20s in 2019 along with Walton, who started three matches at the World Rugby Junior World Championship.

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The midfielder debuted for the NSW Waratahs the following year, taking on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on July 3, 2020. Walton has since become a mainstay of the starting side at the Waratahs, holding down the fort as a regular option at inside centre.

Coach Dan McKellar started Walton in the No. 12 jersey for the Waratahs’ first four matches of the season, before injuries to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Triston Reilly promoted a backline reshuffle against the Blues last weekend.

“We wish him all the best in his next chapter and thank him for all he has given to the jersey week in week out over the past seven years,” the Waratahs post on Wednesday reads.

“One a Tah, always a Tah.”

Walton will depart the Waratahs at season’s end after committing to US Montauban on a multi-year deal. USM Sapiac are currently last in the Top 14 with one win and a draw from 19 matches played, and they’re competing in the Challenge Cup as well.

Utility forward Romain Macurdy has also signed with US Montauban from Castres, with the club announcing both signings on social media. Macurdy has also put pen to paper on a deal through until 2028.