ProD2 club set sights on British & Irish Lions duo

Former England centre Jonathan Joseph and Wales scrumhalf Rhys Webb are reportedly being linked with a move to the French ProD2.

Former British & Irish Lions centre Joseph still has another season left on his contract with Bath.

The 32-year-old has struggled to secure a regular starting position since Johann van Graan took over as coach, with the arrival of powerful midfielder Ollie Lawrence last year further limiting Joseph’s opportunities.

Respected French outlet Midi Olympique has reported that Joseph could potentially join Agen as part of the club’s ambitious plans under the leadership of former Biarritz Olympique president Jean-Baptiste Aldigé. Aldigé aims to bring in his own “Galacticos” to the club and is also reportedly interested in signing former Bath and Wales scrum-half Webb, as well as former Wales centre Tyler Morgan.

Joseph, who has been with Bath since 2013, played a significant role in the team’s journey to the Premiership final in 2014/15. He was also selected as a British and Irish Lion for the 2017 tour of New Zealand.

Webb, meanwhile, was among a handful of Wales players to announce their retirement from Test rugby before the Rugby World Cup. Webb, who won 40 caps in a Test career that spanned a decade , followed Ospreys colleagues Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric in stepping down.

He turned down an extension at the Ospreys in favour of pursuing an “opportunity abroad”.

Meanwhile, The Rugby Paper has mentioned that Agen is also monitoring Welsh fly-half Rhys Patchell, who recently became a free agent after leaving Scarlets. Patchell had previously turned down an offer from Bath to stay with Scarlets to pursue his international ambitions.

Agen finished sixth in the ProD2 last season.