Racing Metro prepared to offload Roberts and Lydiate immediately

It seems that Jonathan Sexton is not the only one who'll be leaving Racing Metro 92, but the Irishman's departure could be preceded by Welsh triumvirate Dan Lydiate, Jamie Roberts and Mike Phillips.

French newspaper L'Equipe reported this morning that the Parisian club are looking to offload all three Lions and Wales internationals with immediate effect.

The suggestion is that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is preparing to buy out the contracts of Roberts and Lydiate - but not Phillips - so that they can play for a Welsh region in the European Rugby Champions Cup that starts this weekend.

Roberts moved to Paris from the Cardiff Blues during the summer while Lydiate is formerly on the Newport Gwent Dragons. L’Equipe claims that any such move would have to happen before the start of the Champions Cup this week. If there is no deal done by the weekend, then Racing are likely to cup tie them.

Racing coach Laurent Labit was unequivocal in his view of Roberts and Lydiate: "They have never really performed since their arrival." L'Equipe asserted that: "nobody has come forward for the scrumhalf (Phillips) who is paying for his extra sportive escapades."

Roberts said this morning: “If they feel they (Racing Metro) don’t want me here, c’est la vie. Hopefully another club will have me.”

Sexton's return to Ireland at the end of the season - he is currently recovering from a broken jaw - has seen Racing linked with several outhalfs but there is a strong suggestion that the French club are favourites to sign New Zealand's Dan Carter.

Certainly in offloading the Welsh players, it would free up a bit of the budget for a mega money offer.