What we need right now is a statement from O’Connell that nips this in the bud or confirms a move is on.
On Sunday, the leading comments of Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal re-opened the Paul O’Connell to France debate.
Boudjellal told RMC Sport, ‘One of the two [O’Connell or Duane Vermeulen] will be at Toulon next season.’
The comments have, once again, led to Munster coach Anthony Foley answering a swathe of questions about the Munster captain’s future.
More fuel has been added to the fire by an interview with Toulon’s Argentine flanker, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, who calls the Irishman ‘a legend of this game’.
Lobbe believes O’Connell epitomises all the humble, hard-working qualities that have driven the French side to three European Cup wins in a row. The 33-year-old’s kind words follow a recent assertion from Drew Mitchell that Toulon should do all they can to get O’Connell in the door.
Lobbe does not feel O’Connell’s age [35] is an issue and pointed to the fact that the lock won the 2015 Six Nations Player of the Year.
He told The Irish Examiner, ‘I’m not the president so it is not my decision, but it would be great if he comes.’
