What we wanted to do was go and make a statement in France, there in Perpignan and for long periods I thought we were going to.

BBC: Blues are an inspiration - Holley

Roussillon sits to the west of Perpignan but culturally, it lends itself more to Catalonia than France.

WSJ: Will Lyons on Wine: The Wild Beauty of France's Roussillon and Its Wines

And Devereux hopes that Hook, who has indicated he wants to play outside-half for Perpignan, is not the first of a clutch of Wales stars who may be attracted to play in France.

BBC: Wales urged to pick James Hook at outside-half