Ben Barba is set to be barred by the Australian Rugby Union from making his code-hopping debut at next weekend’s Global Tens in Brisbane.

The ARU has indicated it will prevent any move to have the Cronulla NRL premiership winner turn out for his new French rugby club Toulon at the tens because of his rugby league cocaine ban.

After signing a two-and-a-half year multi-million dollar contract with the French giants on Thursday, Barba was tipped to line up at the showcase tournament at Suncorp Stadium after organiser Duco Events extended an invitation to Toulon to include him.

However the ARU has a long-standing reciprocal agreement with the NRL that they observe each other’s drug sanctions and it made it’s stance clear on Thursday.

“Australian Rugby’s policy is to respect and recognise disciplinary action taken by other sports,” said an ARU spokesman.

“Ben Barba was recently disciplined by both the National Rugby League and his club for illicit drugs offences.

“Given the serious nature of the misconduct and Australian Rugby’s policy stance, it is inappropriate for Ben Barba to participate in the 2017 Brisbane Global Rugby 10s, which is an ARU-sanctioned event.”

The former Brisbane Broncos and Mackay product would have proved a massive drawcard for the event.

Barba was released from his NRL contract late last year after testing positive to cocaine four days after the Sharks’ premiership win.

He was suspended for 12 games under the NRL’s anti-doping policy, a penalty which led him to sign with rugby union.