The Ospreys are keen to keep George North and other high-profile internationals but are wary that might not be possible as budgets in Welsh rugby only get smaller.

The Wales centre has been linked with a move to Provence Rugby this week, with reports in France suggesting the 31-year-old has already visited the Pro D2 club's facilities.

Despite being a second tier outfit in France, Provence boast a sizable budget - one of the biggest in Pro D2 - and the Ospreys might struggle to match whatever they were to offer.

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Ospreys coach Toby Booth is wary of the challenges facing Welsh rugby, but is still keen on keeping hold of North.

"We understand with good players that people will be interested," said Booth. "The Welsh market will be of interest to big-spending teams because they know we can't afford to keep big players on big salaries.

"We have to cut our cloth accordingly. It doesn't mean we don't want to keep George and we will do everything we can to try and keep all the best players we can at the region but is similar situation to last year.

"We have a budget of £5.2m this season and that is going down to £4.5m next season so every region is still staring down the barrel of a gun and I don't think this will be the last of it either."

A host of Wales' World Cup squad members are out of contract at the end of the season, with the likes of Tomos Williams, Gareth Davies, Rio Dyer, Nicky Smith, Mason Grady and Kieran Hardy all set to see their deals expire.