On the same weekend that French media reported Heinz Lemoto, the Penrith Panthers and Australian under-18s gun, had signed for Toulouse, there was another name on the French outfit’s scoresheet that must have sent a shiver through Rugby Australia.

Malachi Hawkes, a 22-year prop-hooker, who left Sydney for Toulouse in 2020, scored for the French giants in their 52-6 demolition of Castres. Hawkes is one of at least 25 young Australians who have moved, or are moving, to France as the brutal realities of professionalism hit Australia.

While RA views this as poaching, the Herald understands that the French see this as nothing more than the natural consequence of globalisation, with agents taking an active role in bringing young Australians to their door.

Either way, if the trend continues it might ultimately be the factor that forces RA to abandon its current Wallabies eligibility policy.

Is rising star Heinz Lemoto off to France?Credit: Getty Images

It is easy to forget Reds........

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