All Blacks back Nehe Milner-Skudder may not even arrive in France to take up his contract with Toulon with the club to cut-ties with him according to reports in France.

A 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, Milner-Skudder agreed a three-year contract with the French giants last December, but has since been missing from action due to injury, not playing any rugby for the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby season. 

The shoulder injury that left him out of the Hurricanes team also meant he could not compete for a place in the All Blacks World Cup squad earlier this year. 

However, L’Equipe are now reporting that the complications that he has with his shoulder may mean that he cannot undergo a medical examination that is required before the French League approve a players contract. 

It would be a huge blow for the 28-year-old, who was scooped up by the club at the same time as South African World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth, who is expected to join-up with the squad before the new year and start his respective three-year deal. 

If Milner-Skudder’s contract is torn up he would probably need to recover from his shoulder problem before being on the radar of a new club. 

Although it appears a blow for the French outfit, it turns out that it could work to their advantage, as it would free up a squad place and some budget to attempt to capture a different star. 

The star that they are believed to be interested in is Wales’ back Liam Williams, who could be a casualty of the current Saracens crisis, but Toulon would be one of a number of French clubs competing for his signature, not to mention clubs from around Europe.

Racing 92 have issued a brief statement regarding second-row Leone Nakarawa following the forwards’ failure to arrive back at the club after his Rugby World Cup lay-off period.

Nakarawa, who played in all four of Fiji’s World Cup games, was expected to return to the club around the 28th of October according to reports. However, he is yet to return, with it understood that the French outfit did not agree to extend his leave and are not pleased. 

In a short statement the club confirmed they wanted an interview with Nakarawa before handing him any punishment. 

“Racing 92 have provisionally laid off Leone Nakarawa and summoned him to an interview prior to a possible sanction. The club will make no further comments about this decision,” a statement on the club website read. 

The lock has been taken off the club roster ahead of their opening Champions Cup game against holders Saracens this weekend following the decision. 

It is believed that he has remained in Fiji to help build a house for his family, but did not clear up the situation with his employers beforehand. 

A tweet by Pacific Rugby Welfare last week stated that Racing knew where and what the lock was doing, but it appears as though that is not the case. 

Nakarawa is thought to be one of the highest earning players at the club and is regarded as one of the best players in his position on the planet, although we will now have to wait and see what he does next following this saga of events. 

Former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika could head to Montpellier as soon as January according to a report by RugbyPass today.

Cheika exited the scene as head coach of the Australian national team last month after they were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals by England and has been touted with a move to the French Top 14 giants since as a director of rugby.

However, it now appears as though that move could happen sooner rather than later with Cheika set to take over from Vern Cotter, who was moved into the role earlier this year having been the head coach of the side previously. 

Cotter’s contract with the club is set to expire come the end of the season, but RugbyPass claim a source close to the club believes that a deal between Cheika and Montpellier is as good as done to see him come in in two months time. 

If it goes ahead it would see Cheika oversee current head coach Xavier Garbajosa in a director of rugby role, which in a way seems odd with Cheika previously stating that he didn’t like the set-up when he was being overseen by Scott Johnson during his time with the Wallabies. 

Although it could be different when he is the man upstairs and it would be a big boost for Montpellier with the 52-year-old having experience at the highest level in France having previously had the role with Stade Francais as well as his head coach success with Leinster. 

His role in bringing players to the Leinster set-up will be of interest to owner Mourad Altrad, who will hope he can give the club an edge on attracting the top Aussie talent to French shores.