IT WAS a covert operation befitting the famed French Resistance movement. Despite an ongoing media presence outside the French embassy in London, and possibly an Australian court official waiting to serve him subpoena, Sonny Bill Williams managed to collect the visa he needed to enter France without being spotted.

Aware of the controversy over Williams's decision to walk out on the Bulldogs to take up a $3 million two-year deal with French rugby union club Toulon, consulate officials offered to meet the Kiwi superstar at a nearby location. The Herald understands the French High Commissioner to Britain personally met Williams to pass over the documentation he needed after travelling to England on a recently acquired Samoan passport.

He was joined by embassy staff members from Toulon, a picturesque harbour city on France's Mediterranean coast, who requested Williams's autograph and had photos taken with him. Also present was an official from the Tana Umaga-coached club, whose millionaire president Mourad Boudjellal is still refusing to confirm he has signed Williams.

The club official, a fellow Kiwi, travelled to London to meet Williams in a transit lounge at Heathrow Airport after his arrival on Monday morning but the 22-year-old league international was unable to board the flight for the final leg of his trip to Nice after failing to bring his New Zealand passport.

After 5½ hours, the pair emerged without any luggage and hopped into a taxi. Williams's bags had been collected by his travelling partner, a brother of Khoder Nasser - the agent who suggested after his client's shock departure from Sydney on Saturday that he no longer manages Williams and has refused to comment further.

With Australian media and court officials searching for Williams, he spent two nights at three separate residences in London as they waited for his French visa to be approved.

It is thought to be highly unusual for the embassy to process a visa application so quickly but that may be another indication of the high regard for Williams.

"He is a big star, a big character," Daniel Riou, a Toulon supporter for 40 years, told AAP. "I would like him to come to Toulon."

After he settles in, Williams will start French lessons and hopes to soon be playing at the team's home - Stade Mayol - named after concert hall singer Felix Mayol, a local who found success in Paris early last century.

Perched on the edge of Toulon's impressive marina, the 13,700-seat stadium will be the venue for the September 13 clash with Stade Francais - the Paris club that recently snared St George Illawarra's Australian centre Mark Gasnier on two-year deal believed to be worth $1 million per season.

With Wendell Sailor also linked with his former Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie at Stade Francais after being given permission for an off-season rugby stint in Europe, the match may pit the Dragons duo against Williams and Penrith winger Luke Rooney.