Sébastien Chabal joins Racing Metro in three-year deal

Sébastien Chabal, the powerfully built Sale forward, is to join the French club Racing Metro after agreeing a three-year contract.

The 31-year-old France international still has 12 months left on his current deal with the Cheshire club but has been allowed to leave early. At Racing, who were promoted into France's Top 14 last weekend, he will be joined by Lionel Nallet, his captain in the international side and a former team-mate at Bourgoin.

Chabal's new club, formed in 2001 when Racing Club de France amalgamated with US Metro, have a reputation as big spenders but their president, Jacy Lorenzetti, denied reports that his latest recruit will earn over £1m a year.

Another player heading for the exit door at Sale and landing a lucrative deal across the Channel is Rory Lamont. The Scottish wing is going south to sign for Toulon and there is now the prospect of up to 30 Britons playing for French clubs next season.