Under the guidelines, which came into fruition at the start of this season, clubs are required to have a minimum of 40 per cent home grown players, with the figure rising to 50 per cent next year and levelling at 60 per cent in the 2012/2013 season.

This comes as a blow to clubs like Toulon, who have invested heavily in foreign imports such as Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Sackey and George Smith and are heavily associated with the cash-rich atmosphere of French rugby.

May only arrived on the Cote d’Azur last summer after a decade at Newcastle, yet it appears the 31-year-old utility back’s days at the Stade Mayol may be numbered, having failed to reach the heights of his final season with the Falcons which saw him rewarded with two England caps that summer.

But May is not willing to throw the towel in just yet and insists he will fight tooth-and-nail to ensure his French adventure does not come to a premature end.

He said: “Obviously there will be a lot of guys coming and going and the French quota of players needs to go up to 50 per-cent and that is for every club so there are going to be less foreigners at each club next year.

“It is one of things where I have to keep my head down and keep on working and see what happens at the end of the season.

“I am not really looking to jack it all in and come back. The whole reasoning behind joining Toulon was not just a rugby experience but a life experience in general for me and my wife. I have signed for two years and we will see what happens at the end of the year.

“It is a huge and very talented squad here at Toulon so there will be times when I am not picked. It is frustrating having to sit out sometimes but it is all about taking my chances when they are on offer.

“There is no point sulking or throwing my toys out of the pram whatsoever so I just have to keep on training and get as fit and as strong as possible.”