Balshaw joins English rugby exodus

World Cup winning back Iain Balshaw has become the latest English star to move to France after signing for Top 14 side Biarritz from English Premiership outfit Gloucester on Sunday.

The 30-year-old - who came on as an extra-time replacement in England's 2003 World Cup final victory over Australia - signed a two year contract with the French giants, who have had a poor season by their standards and finished outside the top four but have almost secured a European Cup spot for next term.

Balshaw, capped 33 times, effectively saw his international career come to an end when England manager Martin Johnson left him out of the senior and junior squads last November, had been in talks with runaway Second Division leaders Metro Racing.

The injury-prone Balshaw was one of two signings by Biarritz on Sunday as they also secured the signature of 24-year-old Clermont wing Fabien Alexandre, who also signed a two year contract.

Alexandre will be reunited with fellow 2006 World Under-20 champions winning team-mates Yann Fior and Arnaud Mignardi.

Biarritz had already signed Leicester Tigers English centre Ayoola Erinle and Romain Terrain from Castres.

Balshaw - who was twice selected for Lions tours, failing to play in any of the tests on the 2001 tour and then pulling out through injury in the 2005 edition - joins present England internationals James Haskell, Tom Palmer and Riki Flutey in leaving England for lucrative contracts in France.

Haskell and Palmer have signed for Stade Francais while Flutey has joined Brive.

2003 World Cup winning hero but injury-plagued Jonny Wilkinson is strongly rumoured to be set to sign for big spending and underachieving Toulon - provided they stay up.