Gavin Henson had hoped for a long-term deal with Toulon Toulon have decided not to offer Gavin Henson a future at the club.The Wales centre joined the French club from Saracens in February amid his attempt to relaunch his career.
However, he was suspended by the club for a week following allegations of off-field misbehaviour.
But team manager Tom Whitford said financial constraints and Henson's possible 2011 World Cup involvement with Wales were the primary factors in their decision.
Whitford told BBC Sport Wales: "The problem is we haven't qualified for Europe this season, which means that our budget is going to be restricted which means then we're slightly limited in our salary budget - that's one reason.
"The second reason is we hope from his point of view he's going to be picked for the World Cup to play for Wales, which means we're going to lose a player for a three-four month period.
"So we'd rather not take that risk. Obviously there was an incident - and he wasn't the only one at fault - let's be honest about this - it wasn't just his fault.
"Having taken everything into account we've come to a decision whereby we're going to release Gavin and we're going to wish him very well in the future."
Henson had harboured hopes of two more seasons at Toulon, but news of his release came a day after Toulon announced Mason's arrival from Hull Kingston Rovers.
Toulon will be without a host of front-line stars during the autumn when the World Cup is under way in New Zealand.
They include England's Jonny Wilkinson, Australia's Matt Giteau and Filipe Contepomi of Argentina.
Henson's chances of making Wales' World Cup party improved when he was named in the squad to face the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 4 June.
Ironically, Henson could line up against Mason when Wales take on the Barbarians with the New Zealand-born player set to make his union bow in the match.
Toulon have also been linked with Melbourne Rebel Danny Cipriani, the out-of-favour England fly-half.
Henson's return following his ban by Toulon ended in a 27-3 defeat at Montpellier that killed off their French Top 14 play-off hopes.
The 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam winner left the Ospreys in October for Saracens, where he returned to action after a controversial 20-month absence.
However, Henson's stint with the Aviva Premiership club lasted only four games and he arrived in the south of France with a calf injury.
That restricted the 2005 British and Irish Lion tourist to a limited role at Toulon, but he impressed in two-and-half-games before their season ended in a 27-3 defeat by Top 14 semi-finalists Montpellier.
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