Ospreys lead hunt for Chiefs prop star Francis
TOMAS Francis is set to leave Exeter with the Ospreys leading the chase for the Wales tighthead prop.
The 28-year-old has won 52 Welsh caps since making his debut in 2015.
The Welsh Rugby Union’s controversial selection policy means no player can represent Wales and play their club rugby outside the country unless they have 60 caps or more.
Wales are understood to have only a maximum of seven Tests before Francis’ Chiefs contract expires so he will have to depart Sandy Park if he wants to continue playing at international level.
Exeter announced last summer they had extended Francis’ current deal, but the WRU have dug their heels in and insist he must play in Wales moving forward.
The former Doncaster Knight and London Scottish front row has accepted he must move to Wales despite his love for the Chiefs where he claimed Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup double glory last year.
Francis – born in York – has never played domestic rugby in Wales.
Should he join a Welsh region, Francis will be included in the WRU’s elite 38-man playing squad.
It means they will pay 80 per cent of his wages with his region of choice making up the rest.
Francis will meet all four Welsh sides, but TRP understands the Ospreys are the clear front runners for his signature.
Dragons, Cardiff Blues and Scarlets all have tighthead props in the Wales squad in the shape of Leon Brown, Dillon Lewis and Samson Lee respectively.
And the Ospreys are desperate to improve their front row resources with head coach Toby Booth understandably keen on a player of Francis’ calibre.