Iain Balshaw: Biarritz bound Photo: Michael Paler

The mid-season trickle of England players moving to Top 14 is fast turning into a torrent that will be alarming RFU bosses and the Guinness Premiership clubs alike.

Fears were initially voiced when Wasps and England trio Riki Flutey, James Haskell and Tom Palmer signed for French clubs back in February – prompting an RFU missive to EPS squad members and a slowing of transfer news - but after a quiet couple of months it appears that Top 14 is once again the summer destination of choice.

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Hot on the heels of confirmation that Toulon are in advanced talks with Jonny Wilkinson came the news that fellow Newcastle Falcons Jamie Noon and Tom May are also set the fly the north-east coop. Noon is reported to have signed for Brive, while May will team up with Wilkinson in Toulon – who last week confirmed the signing of Saracens veteran Kris Chesney.

And now, less than 24 hours later, comes news in the French press that Gloucester and England back Iain Balshaw is set to leave Gloucester for Biarritz.

The 30-year-old full-back, capped 35 times by England, was earlier this season linked with a move to ProD2 leaders Racing Metro ’92, but Frenchrugbyclub.com understands that the deal fell through despite personal terms being agreed because the Paris club refused to pay a transfer fee.

Biarritz, it would seem, have no such qualms and now look to have landed the former British Lions star. According to French rugby paper Midi Olympique Balshaw – who can also play on the wing - is in Biarritz this week to put pen to paper on a two-year deal for the former Top 14 champions.

If he does sign he will follow Leicester’s Erinle Ayoola to the Atlantic coast side, who already have Magnus Lund – another England international – on their books.

The apparent deal makes sense from both clubs’ point of view, with Gloucester boss Dean Ryan set for a massive clearout after admitting his current squad has reached the end of the road following their weekend humiliation by Cardiff Blues in the EDF Cup final.

Biarritz, meanwhile, are looking to strengthen a playing squad that has come to rely far too heavily on its star trio of Imanol Harinordoquy, Damien Traille and Dimitri Yachvili.

The five-times champions – including in 2002, 2005 and 2006 – have endured a trying season, but are currently seventh in Top 14 and pushing hard for qualification in next year’s Heineken Cup.

They have won seven of their last nine league games – including home victories against the top two of Stade Toulousain and Perpignan – and now stand just a solitary point behind sixth place Brive.

Two of their remaining three matches are at home and should Balshaw join he will play his rugby under the watchful glare of Biarritz president Serge Blanco – France’s legendary full-back.

Meanwhile, Brive's hectic transfer dealings continued with confirmation that prop Pierre Cadevielle, 35, is heading in the other direction after signing for Gloucester. He becomes the club's second player to move to the Guinness Premiership following Ben Cohen's capture by Sale Sharks.