Toulon: No O'Connell, maybe Cooper

 

It was reported that the French giants were chasing another Galácticos signing for the second row, with current legends Bakkies Botha and Ali WIlliams set to retire at the end of the season.

 

O'Connell's contract with the IRFU expires in June of 2016, but it was speculated that Toulon were eager for him to be released from his contract to join them after the World Cup.

 

Since then, a strong statement has been released insisting 'any alleged contacts between the player and the french club are pure speculation'.

Meanwhile, French paper L'Equipe has said that Toulon have captured the signature of the mercurial Cooper on a two-year deal.

 

Cooper, if reports are to be believed, would join a burgeoning Australian contingent at Toulon with Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell already there.

 

Toulon have already brought in All Black Ma'a Nonu ahead of next season with Samu Manoa, Salesi Ma'afu and Napolioni Nalaga also joining the reigning European champions.

 

Former Reds teammate Ben Lucas, who now plays for Montpelier, posted a picture of himself and Cooper meeting up in France with a revealing tag-line.

 

It read: "Good catching up with Quade Cooper… been Toulong #seewhatididthere…"

 

Toulon are going for their third straight European title having qualified for the final and Cooper was present in Marseille to see Toulon beat Leinster in the semifinal.