Champions Cup
Toulon boss takes aim at Rhys Webb
“His agents are offering him all over Wales, while he still owes us one more year on his contract.”
Toulon’s president, Mourad Boudjellal is not known for being a shy, reserved , hide in the background style owner. He’s the opposite but this weekend the Toulon boss has gone nuclear!
Yesterday, his comments about Julian Savea made headlines, stating he was releasing the All Black (read the comments here) following the defeat to Agen.
Savea was not the only one in the firing line. Rhys Webb was also in line for a verbal spray.
The Welsh
“His agents are offering him all over Wales, while he still owes us one more year on his contract.”Don’t worry, I won’t hold him back.”
His agent Derwyn Jones, speaking on behalf of the Webb, said:
“The last month or so has been really difficult for Rhys with his family moving back to Wales because one of his sons found it hard to settle out there and adjust to being in a French language school.
“However, Rhys wants to make it clear he hasn’t had any conversations with the club at all about leaving Toulon.
“He has a strong family network which will support his fiancée and children back home in Bridgend.
“Toulon have openly said he’s one of the most professional players they have come across.
“Rhys’s immediate goal is to help the club start winning again and make the top six in the French league.
“The club have spoken to me to say they are concerned about how Rhys will cope without his family.
“But Rhys has assured me he’s committed to the club.
“The club have not indicated to me they are unhappy with Rhys, which is a totally separate conversation.
“So Rhys remains committed to the team.”
Munster Rugby can confirm the full list of players who will depart the province at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
It was confirmed earlier this season that Malakai Fekitoa (Benetton) and Ben Healy (Edinburgh) will join new clubs ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Additionally, we can confirm that Liam O’Connor, Eoin O’Connor, Paddy Kelly, Oli Morris and Academy player Conor Phillips have completed their time at the province.
Eoin O’Connor will move abroad for a new playing opportunity.
Liam O’Connor has been advised to retire on medical grounds following successful surgery for a recent neck injury.
Paddy Kelly has retired from professional rugby on medical grounds due to a concussion sustained earlier in the season.
Paddy has received specialist medical care since the concussion, and despite all efforts, the decision to retire was made in the best interests of his long-term health.
Prop Liam O’Connor made 34 Munster appearances since his debut against Stade Francais in the Champions Cup in January 2016.
A product of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy and former CBC student, O’Connor won the British & Irish Cup with Munster A in 2017.
He made 11 appearances in the first 12 games of the 2017/18 campaign but sustained a long-term knee injury against Ospreys in December 2017.
The Cork Constitution clubman helped Munster to a memorable victory over South Africa A at Páirc Uí Chaoimh earlier this season.
Eoin O’Connor came up through the Academy and was one of 12 players to make their senior Munster debuts in the Champions Cup win over Wasps in December 2021.
The former Waterpark RFC man moved up to the senior squad ahead of the 2022/23 season and made four senior appearances for Munster.
He has featured extensively for Young Munster in the AIL over the past number of years.
A former St Munchin’s College student, lock Paddy Kelly departs after one year as part of the senior squad having come through the Academy.
Centre Oli Morris departs after joining Munster in October when Worcester Warriors went into administration.
Winger Phillips departs after three years in the Academy that included two senior appearances. A former Crescent College student, he is also an Ireland 7s international and plays his club rugby with Young Munster.
Chris Farrell, James French and Dan Goggin all departed for new playing opportunities earlier this season.
A big thanks to all of our departing players for their contributions to Munster Rugby and we wish them all the best for the future.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of the 2023 Heineken Champions Cup Final against La Rochelle on Saturday in Aviva Stadium. (KO: 4.45pm – live on RTÉ2, BT Sport 2, RTÉ Radio 1 and Newstalk).
Cian Healy came through the game at the weekend with no issues after his recovery from an ankle injury.
Rónan Kelleher came through the game at the weekend with no issues after his recovery from a shoulder injury.
Robbie Henshaw came through the game at the weekend with no issues after recovering from a quad issue.
James Lowe was part of the extended match day squad at the weekend and will train as normal this week.
Scott Penny has come through the Graduated Return to Play Protocols and will be available for selection this week.
Will Connors has entered the Graduated Return to Play Protocols and will be unavailable for selection this week.
There are no further updates on:
Vakhtang Abdaladze (neck), Ed Byrne (tricep), Rhys Ruddock (hamstring), Johnny Sexton (groin), Jamie Osborne (knee), Martin Moloney (knee)
Images & Content from Leinster Rugby
Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm the signing of centre Sean O’Brien on a two-year deal ahead of the 2023/24 season.
From Westmeath, the centre has been playing with the Premiership’s Exeter Chiefs for the past two seasons and most recently started in the club’s Champions Cup round of 16 and quarter-final games.
The 24-year-old has previously played for Connacht and lined out for the Ireland U20s in 2018 with current Munster players Diarmuid Barron, Jack Daly and Jack O’Sullivan.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
RFU Statement on London Irish
Family the motivator for Whitelock’s French move
Coenie Oosthuizen to leave Sale Sharks
-
Premiership6 days agoLeicester Tigers 23/24 Coaching Team
-
International1 week agoWayne Smith appointed as Performance Coach for the Black Ferns and All Blacks
-
Premiership3 days agoRFU Statement on London Irish
-
URC1 week agoFourie and Orie return for Vodacom URC Grand Final
-
6 Nations5 days agoFarrell Names 42-Player Ireland Summer Training Squad
-
Super Rugby4 days agoFamily the motivator for Whitelock’s French move
-
Premiership4 days agoCoenie Oosthuizen to leave Sale Sharks