France star set for a surprise mid-season switch to Top 14 rivals

France full-back Melvyn Jaminet is set to make a surprise exit from Toulouse by the end of November.

The 24-year-old has started Toulouse’s last two Top 14 fixtures, but with the world-class depth the side has in his position, he looks set to take his talents to Toulon.

Jaminet joined Toulouse after two stellar seasons with Perpignan, helping them to promotion back into the Top 14 and earning his first call-up to the France squad in 2021.

The Les Bleus international has gone on to win the 2022/23 Top 14 title with Toulouse.

Melvyn Jaminet to return to Toulon

He was recruited along with Italy star Ange Capouzzo and Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia to fill the void left by Springboks back Cheslin Kolbe, but with Thomas Ramos on the club’s books already, it was always going to be a challenge to retain all their services.

Ahead of his move to Toulouse, Jaminet was France’s first-choice starter for France but was usurped from the role upon joining the club as clubmate Ramos moved ahead of him in the pecking order for club and country.

According to the French publication Midi Olympique, Toulon, Toulouse, and Jaminet are in talks to complete his move to Toulon before the end of the month.

Jaminet was trained at Toulon’s youth academy before joining Perpignan and looks set to rejoin his former club if an agreement is reached over his release fee.

The full-back signed a three-season deal with Toulouse when he made the switch from Perpignan in 2022, and in order to complete the transfer, Toulon is required to pay compensation to Toulouse, this is where the report states that the negotiations are stalling.

Midi Olympique adds that the two clubs have maintained good relationships through their owners, which should assist in the process of completing the deal.

Toulouse target a replacement

The compensation will be key for Toulouse, however, who are also in the market for Jaminet’s replacement as they require a player who can cover full-back and fly-half with Romain Ntamack still sidelined.

For Toulon, Jaminet will boost their back-three options following the departure of Kolbe to Japan and add to their already stacked goal-kicking stocks that include Baptiste Serin, Dan Biggar and Enzo Herve.

He will also arrive around the same time that Wallabies fly-half Noah Lolesio returns to Australia.

If a deal is struck, Jaminet could make his debut for Toulon on December 2 against Pau.

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