Luke Charteris to leave Racing 92 at end of season to boost Wales hopes
Wednesday 18 November 2015 14:04, UK
Luke Charteris has confirmed he will leave Racing 92 when his contract expires at the end of the season in order to boost his international prospects with Wales.
The 32-year-old forward, who has been capped 62 times, arrived at Racing in the summer of 2014 after two years with Perpignan, having previously played for Newport-Gwent Dragons for nine seasons.
Welsh players do not need to necessarily play in Wales to be eligible for the national team, but coach Warren Gatland has encouraged expats to return home on dual contracts partly funded by the Welsh Rugby Union.
"I love Paris and Racing 92, but I have to leave next year because if I want to play for the national team, I must be playing in Wales or England," said lock Charteris.
Flanker Dan Lydiate returned from a spell at Racing on a National Dual Contract with Ospreys, while centre Jonathan Davies is the latest to head home after re-signing for Scarlets from Clermont.
Other targets for a dual contract are winger George North, out of contract at Northampton at the end of the season, as well as other England-based players including Jamie Roberts, Bradley Davies, James Hook and Matthew Morgan.
Fly-half Rhys Priestland has taken a sabbatical from international rugby to sign for Bath, while still plying their trade in France are full-back Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) and scrum-half Mike Phillips (Racing).
