If Robinson does take up up the offer across the channel he would link up with Sales director of rugby Philippe Saint Andre, who is due to join Toulon in the summer.

BBC: I'm staying at the Blues - Young

Although the preferred route for HS2 does not include a dedicated station at Crewe, the line is expected to join a spur on the West Coast mainline to allow high speed trains to stop at the existing station and link up with other services to Liverpool and Preston.

BBC: Stoke-on-Trent 'ignored' under HS2 rail route plans