Toulon always get their man.
Three-time European Cup champions Toulon are not giving up on luring Paul O’Connell to France next season.
Following his side’s 24-18 Champions Cup final triumph over Clermont Auvergne, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal was asked, by RMC Sport, about the prospect of getting the Ireland captain through the door.
The billionaire owner wants the Munster forward to replace one of the departing Bakkies Botha or Ali Williams.
He revealed that O’Connell – despite denials from the player and Munster coach Anthony Foley – and South African back-rower Duane Vermeulen were both targets.
‘One of the two will be at Toulon,’ he commented.
In an interview with RTE recently, O’Connell said, ‘There has been some stuff in the papers, but I suppose because I am coming towards the end of my career and I’m probably finishing with Ireland soon, that is where the speculation is coming from.
‘But for me nothing has changed from when I spoke to you guys at the end of the Six Nations. I’m still in the midst of the decision, I probably have to get cracking and make my mind up on what I’m going to do. Probably the summer is the time for that now.’
Shedding light onto the situation, earlier this week, Ronan O’Gara stated, ‘[Toulon] usually get their man, whether it’s an All Black, a Springbok. People say his body is creaking, but not for Top 14, where he could easily play, with management, another three seasons.’
Hat-tip: Murray Kinsella
