MUNSTER HEAD COACH Anthony Foley has issued a hands-off warning to Toulon after their multi-millionaire owner reignited speculation about an approach for Paul O’Connell.

A weary Foley described the rumours as a “nuisance factor” following Mourad Boudjellal’s eye-fluttering in the Ireland international’s direction.

Boudjellal celebrated Toulon’s third straight European title by promising that either O’Connell or Springbok Duane Vermueulen would join the Top 14 giants next season.

And a host of the French side’s stars, including Drew Mitchell and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, have added to the calls for O’Connell’s capture.

“It’s like tapping up a player, isn’t it?” Foley said following training on Tuesday.

“A fella who is in contract, he’s our player until the end of next season.

“Paulie has been an unbelievable servant to Munster and Ireland and Young Munster as well. I think it’s important that we look after Paulie.

I called it nonsense before. It’s a nuisance factor more than anything at the moment in terms of talking about stuff that a fella over in the south of France is talking about.

“[Boudjellal] can go after whatever he wants but we’d like him to leave our players alone to be honest with you.”

– Audio courtesy of Live 95 FM

At least Clermont won one consolation prize after their latest European heartbreak

Here’s The42′s Champions Cup team of the tournament