Toulon

Ihaia West signs for Toulon

West will join Rugby Club Toulonnais next season and “will wear the red and black jersey until 2025”, the club have said in a statement.

“Ihaia West will no doubt want to win a trophy with the RCT he has signed up with for the next three seasons,” said Toulon in a statement.

After starting his career with Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, West made a name for himself during stints with the Auckland Blues and then the Hurricanes. Between the two sides he took part in five seasons of Super Rugby before heading to Europe.

Tuisova tortures his old teammates at Toulon with vengeful performance

His old teammates at Toulon know all too well the power that Tuisova possesses, having watched for years as the damaging winger plowed through opposition in the Top 14 on the end of the glamour club’s backline.

Tuisova was one of many strike weapons at Toulon over the glory years and he played outside the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Semi Radradra, Julian Savea, Chris Ashton, Matheiu Bastareaud from 2013-19, amassing 122 appearances.

Former Chiefs wing Bryce Heem to quit Toulon to return home for 'family reasons'

The 32-year-old former Chiefs wing was a try-scorer in Toulon’s 35-13 home win over Stade Francais on Sunday (Monday NZ time), but the club later announced he would play his last game against Brive next weekend.

A statement from the club stated Heem was returning to New Zealand, and the Rugby Rama website reported that he was leaving for “major family reasons’’.

Savea set for Toulon exit

Savea’s current deal is set to expire in the summer, and despite continuing to feature regularly for the Top14 side, a series of underwhelming performances seems to have led the club to the decision that the player is not worth his lucrative wages.

A report in RMC Sport states that Toulon are willing to offload the 54-cap All Black in order to free up some space in their squad.

Savea joined Toulon from the Hurricanes in 2018, but has failed to make the desired impact at the French club.

Cash lures the 'Bus' to Toulon

Savea is joining joining French club Toulon on a two year deal and will leave at the end of the Super Rugby competition.

The 27-year-old has played 54 tests for the All Blacks, scoring 46 tries, putting second on New Zealand's all-time try-scoring list behind only Doug Howlett.

Nick named the Bus Julian Savea made his debut for the All Blacks in 2012 against Ireland but struggled for form and fitness at times with his last test against the British and Irish Lions last year.

Nonu leaving French club Toulon

Nonu joined Toulon after winning the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"Toulon warmly thanks Ma'a Nonu for his involvement and commitment during these three seasons and wishes him and his family the best for the future," said Toulon on their website, with Nonu having played 77 matches during his time at the French side.

The 36-year-old centre scored 14 tries in 77 matches for Toulon, who lost back-to-back Top 14 finals in 2016 and 2017.

On social media Nonu said:

Toulon tipped to sign Jerome Kaino

French media reports in December linked Kaino with Toulon as a replacement for Vermeulen, who will return to the Stormers for Super Rugby when Toulon's season ends.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) confirmed the 39-test Springbok was heading back to South Africa.

"Vermeulen is leaving, he will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours," Boudjellal said.

Mathieu Bastareaud: Toulon centre apologises for homophobic comment

Bastareaud, 29, apologised after the match but will face disciplinary action and, if found guilty, would face a minimum ban of six weeks.

The incident occurred in the last minute of a 36-0 Toulon victory in which Bastareaud scored a try.

He tweeted: "I want to apologise for my reaction to the player's insults."

The centre, who has won 42 France caps, added: "I reacted badly in responding to his provocation, I'm sincerely saddened that I could have hurt people."

Toulon offers staggering salary to Taulupe Faletau to move to French giants

The Rugby Paper are reporting controversial Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal is ready to hand Faletau's current employers Bath a whopping €500,000 transfer fee to buy the 70-times capped Wales No.8 out of the final year of his contract in the west country.

And the three-times kings of Europe are also said to be ready to offer the 27-year-old an eye-popping €1m a year deal to make the move across the Channel to the Stade Felix Mayol.

Jerome Kaino linked to French club

According to Midi Olympique, Kaino was in discussions with the Top 14 side during the All Blacks' recent Northern tour.

His current contract with New Zealand Rugby goes through to the end of the 2018 season.

Kaino had to return home during the French leg of the tour due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the Barbarians match.

The 34-year-old, 81-test veteran, was fighting to resurrect his international career after being bumped down the loose forwards pecking order.