THE Fridge is back in town!
Former Ruthin prop Eifion Roberts has opted to return to the Sale Sharks this summer after spending a year playing for Toulon in the French Super 14 competition.
Thirty-year-old Roberts has signed a three-year deal to return to Edgeley Park, where he previously spent six years, before opting to cross the Channel and sign for big-spending Toulon.
The French club currently stand third in the Top 14, behind Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne after winning nine of their 16 matches to date.
Meanwhile, Sale are seventh in the Aviva Premiership, on the back of six wins from 13 games.
Sale Sharks chief executive Steve Diamond said: "Fridge is a great signing for us.
“He's a very popular lad here; he knows the club very well and I know that he will be a big crowd favourite once more.
"He's had a great experience out in France with Toulon and he'll come back all the better for playing over there. Eifion can play both sides of the scrum and he's very durable and very hard working, which is what you need in those positions.
"He will give us that experience, which was what we need in the pack, and we just can't wait to have him back here again."
Roberts was snapped up by the Sharks in 2005, signing from Ruthin, and he progressed through the Sale Jets development set-up to make his senior debut against Scarlets in December of that year.
He swiftly acquired the nickname 'The Fridge', as a tribute to the impact made by Chicago Bears' defensive lineman William Perry in American Football.
Roberts has gained one Welsh cap, which came as a replacement against Canada in 2008, and he has played for Toulon since 2011.
He said: "I'm grateful that Sale Sharks have given me the opportunity to return.
“There have been a lot of changes - all good, including the way the team's playing.
“They want to win things, and I'm massively keen to do everything I can to help the club.
"I've enjoyed my time in France - it's a tough league, with a different type of game, more focused on the set piece.
"This is a decision for my family: my wife Nia is expecting our second child in June. It's the right time to come back."
Roberts has been a key figure in Toulon’s push for honours, failing to feature in only two of the side’s 16 games.
He has been in the starting line-up on five occasions, including Toulon’s last match, which was a 50-10 trouncing of 14-man Bayonne.
Roberts played for 55 minutes before he was replaced by former All Black Carl Hayman in the front row.
He has bagged one try in Toulon colours, which came during the 38-0 home victory over Perpignon last October.