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Jamie Roberts is set to be released by Racing Metro at the end of the campaign and could return to Wales in a WRU-backed deal.

The 28-year-old is contracted to the Paris out-fit until June next year but WalesOnline can reveal they are ready to dispense with his services.

Sources the other side of the English Channel have told us power-brokers at the French Top 14 club, who are fourth in the table following a 13-13 draw with new leaders Clermont Auvergne yesterday, will cite financial constraints and Wales certainty Roberts being away for the opening three months of next season because of the World Cup as primary reasons for their contentious decision.

Injury problems

He wasn’t picked for the meeting with the Massif Centrale club, missing out on a midfield duel with his Wales centre partner Jonathan Davies, who came through an uninspiring encounter unscathed.

Roberts has made only 26 appearances for Racing after being afflicted by a number of injuries since joining them at the start of last season but will be a key man for Wales during the next assignment of their bid for Six Nations glory, against the French in a win-or-bust shoot-out in Paris on Saturday night.

His former team Cardiff Blues would have first call on his services under the terms of the new deal between the WRU and the regions if Roberts’ agent can negotiate a severance deal with Racing.

More: Pick YOUR Wales team to face France

But he would be allowed to sign for one of their Welsh rivals if the Blues didn’t want him or he expressed a preference not to return to them.

That was the course his Wales and former Racing team-mate Dan Lydiate, who was last December released early from his contract with Metro, choose by signing for the Ospreys rather than return to Newport Gwent Dragons.

We understand moves are afoot to bring Roberts home with the 66-times capped midfield dynamo having previously praised their introduction.

Dual contract endorsement

Qualified doctor Roberts told WalesOnline last October he would jump at the chance of signing a dual contract when he leaves Racing Metro.

“They are a great idea for Welsh rugby. They will improve player welfare because top players, if they sign them, are going to be looked after in the number of games they play ,” explained the twice Lions tourist.

“They will have an off-season break, be exposed to a better standard of conditioning and medical support. Ultimately, it’s a win, win, win situation for the players, for Wales and the the regions. It seems a fantastic solution all-round for Welsh rugby.”

The Exiles: Stars playing outside Wales

And he predicted a reversal of the exodus of big names out of Wales would lead to more success in combat for the Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets. That, he feels, would create extra enthusiasm among the public and players.

“It will free up finance for the regions to make their squads stronger and is great for players in Wales, They will be managed very well. There will be certain times in a season where they will be rested from playing and be able to be conditioned on their fitness by the trainers.”

And he had stated: “Long-term, I’d love to be back in Cardiff at some point. There’s some great people involved, some great players and some great youngsters coming through. It would be great to hopefully play a part in their success in future years.”

Racing coach Laurent Labit created a storm last October when he made an astonishing attack on Roberts and Lydiate, who was still on their books at the time, and questioned their effectiveness and futures at the club.

Labit criticism

“We have already discussed the issue with them – they have never really been performing since their arrival,“ the former France flanker had claimed in the French press.

Roberts was hurt by the comments and responded: “If they feel the don’t want me here c’est la vie. Hopefully another club will have me.”

But at the time he was adamant: “I’ve signed here for three years and I’m here and I’m a man of my word.”

The WRU provides 60% of the money towards dual contracts with the regions stumping up the other 40% to give Wales coach Warren Gatland a £3.3m pot to spend on players.

Jamie Roberts crosses for Wales against Scotland in 2014:

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Gatland has consistently warned the “grass isn’t always greener” outside Wales and is concerned about the limited game-time and fitness of some of the Welsh exiles.

Bringing Roberts home would provide a massive psychological boost to the regional game. He would be the eighth Welsh player to sign a dual contract, joining Wales captain Sam Warburton, Lydiate, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos and Rhodri Jones.

The creation of dual contracts was part of a £60m deal agreed between the WRU and regions last autumn over funding and governance of the game in Wales.

The WRU holds the primacy of the contracts with players being released for an agreed number of games for their region. Gatland eventually hopes to tie up between 20 and 25 players on dual deals.

Wales exiles

He would love for the likes of points machine Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Davies and George North (Northampton) to return home when their contracts are up.

Bath prop Paul James is heading back to the Ospreys for next season but that deal is being solely financed by Wales’ leading region.

Other high-profile exiles include Richard Hibbard and James Hook (both Gloucester), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris and Mike Phillips (Racing), Leicester Tigers outside-half Owen Williams, and the Bristol five of Ryan Jones, Ian Evans, Matthew Morgan, Gavin Henson and Dwayne Peel, who will soon become six with Sale Sharks hooker Marc Jones joining them for next season.