BIG-SPENDING FRENCH Top 14 side Toulon have agreed a one-year deal for next season with Australian back James O’Connor, club president Mourad Boudjellal announced on Thursday.
O’Connor moved to English Premiership outfit London Irish after his Australian contract was terminated as a result of numerous incidents.
The versatile 23-year-old Queenslander will complete the current season with the Irish before switching to the south of France to play for Bernard’s Laporte’s side.
At Toulon he will link up with former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell as well as other new signings in the shape of Welsh internationals Leigh Halfpenny and Ian Evans.
A move to Toulon, however, could jeopardise O’Connor’s prospects of playing in the 2015 World Cup as Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has gone on record as saying that any player who wants to be considered must play for an Australian province in 2015.
O’Connor made his Australia debut at the age of 18 in 2008 and has made 44 appearances for his country, featuring at fly-half, centre, wing and full-back.
The former Western Force and Melbourne Rebels man played against the British and Irish Lions last year notably scoring a try in Australia’s third Test defeat.
However, he has developed a reputation as a troublemaker following several brushes with the rugby authorities in recent years.
He was dropped by Australia in September in the wake of an incident at Perth airport that reportedly saw him escorted from the premises for arguing with airline staff.
McKenzie subsequently declared that O’Connor would have to “modify (his) behaviour” if he wanted to resurrect his international career.
This is where football is at now, manager gets ten games and if the results are not good enough, the sack. Clubs want immediate gratification and have no interest in a long term plan. Sad stuff…..Hope Pulis got a nice parting handshake.
How In the name of God could you turn a club around in 45 days that’s absolutely crazy.
Sheffield Wednesday are a terrible club, I hope they get relegated to league one.
@James: whys that James ? Give us your insight to the club?
Hopefully this will result in a Boro win this evening. Dreadful decision by a ridiculous club who were once one of the originals. Pulis has always been a decent bloke
@Rory O’Connor: 3 points in the bag. Not bad for a ridiculous club.
Horrible anti football tactics. Hopefully that’s the last we’ve seen of his pukey tactics