Saracens have entered the bidding war for Wales and Lions star Adam Jones.
Jones is out of contract with the Ospreys at the end of the season and The Rugby Paper understands the Premiership high-fliers have offered him £300,000 per year.
It’s understood the 89-cap prop is happy at the Ospreys who have also made him an offer, dependent on off-the-field events. But it is substantially less than the Londoners amid the ongoing dispute between the WRU and the four Welsh Regions.
‘Hair Bear’ Jones, 32, is one of six out-of-contract stars – along with Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Rhys Priestland and Scott Williams – who have been offered new deals by their Regions and the Union.
Jones is also being targeted by Toulon, who have already recruited his Ospreys team-mate Ian Evans and probably Cardiff Blue Leigh Halfpenny, who is set to earn about £395,000 a year at the Top 14 giants.
Reports in France yesterday said Halfpenny is expected to sign in the coming days and he will link-up with Jonny Wilkinson, who is on the verge of extending his career by a further year.
Toulon also look to have secured goal-kicking South African scrum-half Rory Kockott from rivals Castres Olympique.
MATTHEW EMERY