Fly-half Bernard signs for Toulon

French fly-half Pierre Bernard has signed a three-year deal to join Toulon next season, the Top 14 outfit said on Monday.

Bernard is the second French No.10 set to join Toulon as France international Francois Trinh-Duc is also heading to the Mayol stadium, from Montpellier.

Bernard, 27, joins from Bordeaux-Begles, whom he joined in 2013 after helping Castres win the Top 14 title, beating Toulon in the final.

He had one year left on his Bordeaux contract but was allowed to leave following the announcement that Ireland international Ian Madigan would be joining the French club next season.

Veteran French international Frederic Michalak is set to leave Toulon for Lyon at the end of this season but the three-time European champions are still well stocked in the fly-half position.

New Zealander Tom Taylor and Australia internationals Matt Giteau, Quade Cooper and James O'Connor can all play No.10.

However, Cooper is rumoured to be returning to Queensland Reds, perhaps in a swap deal with Japanese full-back Ayumu Goromaru.

O'Connor has mostly been used in the back three while Giteau, 33, is just as effective playing in the centres.

And All Black Taylor is actually on loan from Bayonne, and due to join the Basques next season after they secured a return to the Top 14 at the first time of asking after winning the Pro D2 play-offs.

Source: AFP