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London - England prop Andrew Sheridan is to leave Sale for French side Toulon later this year, his agent confirmed Tuesday, effectively signalling the end of his international career.
The 32-year-old loosehead was a member of England's World Cup squad in New Zealand last year only to pull out of the tournament following a recurrence of a long-standing shoulder problem.
Sheridan's decision to head to France means he will no longer be considered for selection by England following a new RFU edict introduced after the World Cup making overseas-based players ineligible for selection.
Players already playing overseas before the rule was introduced can continue to be picked.
Sale Sharks executive director Steve Diamond told the Manchester Evening News that Sheridan, who joined Sale from Bristol in 2003, had expressed a desire to play overseas.
"Sheri's moving to Toulon this summer," Diamond told the paper. "It's his decision.
"He's been a loyal member of the club for a long time but he feels that he's best suited for the next two or three years to try his hand by playing over in France.
"His words to me when he told me were that he was glad he's been here while I've been here.
"Obviously I will be sad to see him go because he's been here at the club for such a long time ...," he added.
