Reports: Messam to replace Vermeulen at Toulon

According to French newspaper Midi Olympique, Chiefs loose forward, Liam Messam will join Top 14 side Toulon at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Confirmation of the 33-year-old's departure is likely to be announced later today with the former All Black reportedly signing a two-year deal at the big-spending French club.

Messam has been brought in to compensate the departure of Springbok loose forward Duane Vermeulen who will leave the club at the end of the Top 14 season to return to South Africa.

Jerome Kaino's name was tipped to be the man to fill those shoes, with the All Blacks veteran also off contract this year and having had a number of clubs talk with him, but it looks as if Messam who will add his powerful and athletic frame to the back row of Toulon.

Messam played 43 tests for the All Blacks between 2008 and 2015, and is the Chiefs' most-capped player in history, with the former captain having notched 161 appearances since his debut in 2006.