Colin Slade offered lucrative French deal - reports

Colin Slade has reportedly been tempted to join French club Pau on a deal thought to be worth more than $720,000 a season. Photo / APN.

All Blacks backline utility Colin Slade has reportedly been tempted to join French club Pau on a deal thought to be worth more than $720,000 a season.

French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique is reporting that the 27-year-old has been offered a two or three-year deal worth €500,000 a season.

Slade is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby this year, and the Crusaders first-five's future after the Rugby World Cup is uncertain.

Slade's versatility in the backline gives him a good chance of being selected in the World Cup squad, but he remains stuck in a logjam with Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden for the All Blacks' number 10 jersey.

Pau have a strong Kiwi connection, being coached by former All Blacks first-five Simon Mannix.

The French club have dominated the French second division, winning 20 of their 26 matches, and are set to have a massive injection of sponsorship cash as they prepare to be competitive in the top division.

Reports suggest Pau's main sponsor, French multinational oil and gas company Total, is rising funding from €2.5million (NZ$3.6m) per season to €4.5million (NZ$6.5m).