The former Ospreys tighthead hasn't represented his country since the last Rugby World Cup
12:45, 15 Jan 2026
Sale Sharks have confirmed the signing of Wales international Tomas Francis, with the prop admitting he wants to pull on the red jersey again after nearly three years away from Test rugby.
The 33-year-old tighthead has not played for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, having joined French ProD2 club Provence on a three-year deal after the tournament. However, the former Ospreys and Exeter Chiefs star never actually retired from international rugby, instead imposing his own exile from the national team and choosing to spend time with his family in France.
It was reported earlier this week that Francis was nearing a return to the Gallagher PREM with Sale and the club has now confirmed that he will join them ahead of the 2026/27 season, having already signed fellow Welsh prop Nicky Smith.
The move is likely to put Francis back in the frame for Wales with Steve Tandy currently lacking experience and real Test quality at tighthead - and the 77-cap international has now made his feelings clear on wanting to represent his country again.
“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," said the Welshman as his move to Sale was confirmed.
“I’ve had a real adventure in France but I wanted to take the next step and after I spoke to Alex (Sanderson), 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."
Explaining the other factors that led him to choose Sale, Francis added: “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."
On what the move means for his Test ambitions, meanwhile, he added: “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.”
Heaping praise on his new signing, Sale's director of rugby Sanderson said: “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.”
Francis previously said that he would "put his hand up" for Wales selection when his time in France was over, telling RugbyPass in 2024: “I’ve never retired from Test rugby and I never will retire.
"But I’ve moved my family to France and I want to spend my time with them while I’m here. If I’m going back to Wales to play, then they’d be stuck in France on their own for weeks on end and that wouldn’t be fair.
“The way things stand I’m going to see out my contract with my full focus on the club. After that, who knows? I think I’ll have a few years left in me when I finish this contract, and if I’m still good enough and Wales need me, I’ll be there. I’ll put my hand up.”
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.