Something to think about: Ben Barba says he "might never play rugby league again". Credit:Getty Images The deal will place Barba as one of the best paid players in the world behind All Blacks legend Dan Carter and Toulon teammates Matt Giteau and Leigh Halfpenny. It also suggests the door is open for further raids on Australia's league stars by Toulon due to the cross-code interest of their coach, former English league international Mike Ford. Ford was instrumental in luring Sam Burgess from South Sydney to the 15-man game during his stint at English club Bath and has already secured Parramatta sensation Semi Radradra for Toulon after the 2017 NRL season. Barba has already been put on notice that off-field misdemeanours that blighted his brilliant league career won't be tolerated by the French club.

Toulon's rich owner Mourad Boudjellal told French newspaper L'Equipe that Barba's deal had strict behavioural clauses and he would be sacked following the first infraction. Boudjellal said Ford remained a keen follower of league and had been monitoring Barba's career with interest. It remains to be seen how Barba will fit into the Top 14 side with Welsh international Leigh Halfpenny standing in his way for the fullback role, while they also boast France playmaker Francois Trinh-Duc at five eighth, along with Giteau who is departing after this season. It's likely he is seen in a utility role. On Friday morning, Cronulla boss Lyall Gorman admitted the club was resigned to losing the wantaway star: "Ben's always been frustrated by the stability in his life. Married man with four young kids, I can understand that," he told reporters. "At the end of the day, his decision is to go overseas and he believes that's in the best interests of his wife and kids, we accept that," he added.

While Barba hasn't earned any money since his contract was terminated, the NRL did provide the Sharks with the opportunity to pay him in advance, however that offer wasn't taken up by the club. ​If Barba ever returns to rugby league, he will still have to pay a fine worth 5 per cent of his contract to the NRL before he is allowed to play. It could have been a 15 per cent fine, however because Cronulla decided to terminate his contract instead of suspending him, the additional 10 per cent was waived. While Barba was believed to be earning more than $500,000 last season, he would only have to pay the percentage Cronulla fork out, given he was still on the books at the Broncos. "We have been working closely with the Sharks on ensuring he has access to appropriate courses and programs as part of his rehabilitation," Greenberg said.

"We have just given him approval to train individually at the club and be part of the Sharks' community programs. That agreement meant he also had access to the club's welfare and education support services. "If that commitment has changed then it will be taken into account when we consider whether his contract should be registered. I would hope that everyone involved in this matter is looking at how we look after Ben's welfare first and foremost – and football matters should be secondary." The controversial fullback might not have to travel too far to play his first game for Toulon - invited to play in next week's Brisbane Global Tens tournament. Tournament organisers are trying to pounce on Barba's shock defection and have offered to fork out a substantial fee to lure the former Bronco back to Suncorp Stadium to make his rugby union debut in front of friends and family. Tens organisers have sent a formal invitation to Toulon, inviting Barba to represent the French rugby giants in Brisbane next week.

"Following the breaking news of Ben Barba going to Toulon overnight, we extended a formal invitation to invite him to play as part of their squad," Duco Events Australia chief executive Rachael Carroll said. "The Brisbane Tens will be the first time Toulon has ever played in Australia, and the fast-paced 10-a-side format would make for a brilliant transition for Ben Barba from NRL to rugby. Loading "Whilst Ben Barba is not currently listed in the Toulon squad the door is certainly open for him and we think the fans would love it." with AAP