Alun-Wyn Jones could be in the Top 14 next term © Getty Images

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Wales and British & Irish Lions star Alun-Wyn Jones has given his clearest indication yet that he is open to a move to France at the end of the season.

The Welsh Rugby Union is currently battling alongside the regions to keep their top talent in the country amid interest from across the Channel in France. Star fullback Leigh Halfpenny is reportedly in talks with Toulon while Clermont and Racing Metro are understood to be interested in Lions captain Sam Warburton.

The WRU has promised to hand the regions around £1m to help keep their top talent in the country but that may not be enough to persuade the likes of Halfpenny and Warburton to stay. That extra funding is also dependent on the four regions recommitting to their participation agreement with the WRU.

The Ospreys are also waiting to see if they can keep three of their top players - Ian Evans, Adam Jones and Alun-Wyn Jones - at the region and the man who captained the Lions to their third Test win over Australia, Alun-Wyn Jones, has conceded he could see his future being in France, rather than with the Ospreys.

When asked whether he could be playing in the Top 14 next season, he told Sky Sports: "I probably could, although whether I want to is another question. Is it up to me? Yes and no.

"If I could and it was the best fit for me I would. I have been pretty frank in my discussions that that decision has got to be made as difficult as possible for me to go rather than an easy one, if that makes sense.

"Player management and longevity are things I potentially may not get if I were to go but if it came down to it and was double the wage or treble the wage, I'm not going to be stupid enough to turn that down. You can't. It is a case of what is best for me in the future, rather than a snatch and grab money-wise."