Tomas Francis seals PREM return and targets World Cup

Wales tighthead Tomas Francis has signed for Sale Sharks ahead of next season in a deal that will run until 2028.

The 33-year-old has been playing for Provence in France’s Pro D2 since the 2023 World Cup, but has secured the move back to England’s top flight as he strives to make the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

The 77-cap Wales international spent seven years in the PREM with Exeter Chiefs, winning the Investec Champions Cup in 2020, before joining the Ospreys in 2021.

Francis is one of several signings at Sale ahead of next season, including Francis’ compatriot and fellow prop Nicky Smith from Leicester Tigers.

He will also reunite in the front-row with his former Exeter Chiefs team-mate Luke Cowan-Dickie.

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“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,” Francis said.

“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 added: “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.”