BEN Barba’s French rugby dream is over, just three months after it began.

Despite signing a $2.5 million two-year deal, Barba has been reportedly axed by Toulon, having only just joined the French Top 14 club in February this year.

With Toulon’s season finishing in a matter of weeks French site L’Equipe reported that Barba will be one of five players not returning to the club next season.

Barba was signed until the end of 2019 by ex-Bath coach Mike Ford but the coach was sacked last month.

Toulon’s multi-millionaire boss Mourad Boudjellal told local press Barba did not fit in with the plans of new coach Fabien Galthie.

It comes as Channel 7 senior rugby league reporter Josh Massoud on Thursday revealed Barba is unlikely to return to the NRL because of unfavourable scandals hitting the game recently.

Barba’s manager Chris Orr also said on Thursday that Barba does not want to return to Sydney.

Massoud reported on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast, Barba best shot at signing a big-money deal is in the English Super League or in English Premiership Rugby.

The former Sharks fullback would still have to serve the 12-match NRL suspension that he received for a second strike under the NRL’s illicit-drug policy.

It is understood that Barba will need to front the NRL integrity unit to explain his previous actions and set a clear path for his rehabilitation before a contract with an NRL club is approved.

The recent cocaine scandals which rocked the game during the representative round have also likely dashed any hope Barba had of returning to the NRL.

Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall remains stood down by the club ahead of his court appearance for a drug possession charge on June 21. Former Sharks chairman Damian Keogh is also facing a court appearance on June 30 after being arrested for alleged possession of an illegal substance.

Kiwi international stars Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor have also been suspended by their clubs after allegedly purchasing an illegal substance after the trans-Tasman Test in Canberra.

Massoud says the negative publicity combined with the 12-match NRL ban standing over his head means Barba has only one chance of returning to the NRL.

“That’s a huge deterrent,” Massoud said of Barba’s hanging suspension.

“It’s a massive deterrent and after the last weekend, the circumstances under which Ben Barba left rugby league, I’d say that’s an even bigger deterrent.

“His options would be fairly limited I’d suggest. I’d say Wests Tigers wouldn’t be an option. They’re looking at a cheaper fullback and plus with the Tim Simona allegations earlier in the year I don’t think he’d fit there.

“Maybe St George, but I think more likely English Super League or English Rugby.”

He said St George Illawarra would only be an option for Barba if off-contract star Josh Dugan leaves the club.

Dugan has reportedly been offered a massive deal by rivals Cronulla and Massoud reports the Sharks are now likely to secure his signature if the Dragons do not improve their offer of around $800,000 per-season.

“Cronulla are very close to signing him,” Massoud said.

“They’ve been in very serious talks for the last two weeks and talks were continuing yesterday and Josh Dugan is going to make up his mind in about a week.

“I dare say, if St George don’t increase their offer from about $800,000 then Josh Dugan will be walking to the Sharks. The money Cronulla are offering is commensurate with what they were going to give Jack Bird, which I understand was going to be the highest offer in the club’s history to a current player.

“There’s a very big chance Dugan could go. They’d be looking at Jai Field to play fullback. There’s a bit of mail about Lachlan Coote being on the outer at North Queensland with them signing Tui Lolohea so he could also be an option there with them looking for a ball-playing fullback.”

It comes as Barba;s manager Chris Orr announced he will begin speaking to NRL clubs and rugby union clubs in Australia to secure the former Dally M medallist a contract.

Orr told The Courier-Mail Barba could be a steal for an NRL club considering the big-money deals signed recently.

“If it is true, then I will do my job and look for options,” Orr said.

“I will look at Super League and rugby union, but Benny would ideally like to play NRL again.

“It’s unlikely he would return to the Sharks, in previous chats with him he said, ‘If I return, I can’t see myself moving back to Sydney in any capacity’.

“The market is now in overdrive and guys are getting $900,000 plus, so Ben would be good value for any club at $500,000.”

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated several players, including Australians Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau were also being cut by Toulon. Mitchell announced he would retire at the end of the season in April. Giteau has chosen to continue his career in Japan. It also incorrectly referred to Toulon’s ladder position this season. The club finished fourth in French Top 14 Rugby.