Ben Barba’s code switch to play rugby union in France while serving an NRL suspension will benefit the Cronulla fullback, Sharks forward Chris Heighington says.

Glamour club Toulon claims it has secured Barba’s signature for the rest of the Top 14 season while he serves a 12-week NRL ban for a second positive test to illicit drugs.

“I reckon it was probably good for him and good for the Sharks to get a bit of game time under his belt,” Heighington told Sky Sports Radio.