Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal claims that he has not ruled out terminating Wales star Leigh Halfpenny's contract due to ongoing injury problems.
Halfpenny moved to Toulon from Cardiff Blues this summer on a lucrative two-year contract. The deal was announced in January.
He suffered a dislocated shoulder during Wales' RBS 6 Nations defeat against England in March and underwent surgery ahead of an anticipated four month lay-off.
But the 25-year-old goalkicking fullback, who was British and Irish Lions player of the series against Australia last year, is now struggling with a groin injury. He has yet to play for Toulon.
The often outspoken Boudjellal told French newspaper Varmatin there is a thought that 52 times-capped Halfpenny might have been injured when he signed for Toulon.
“Today, we must address this issue because we do need a world class goal-kicker,” Boudjellal is quoted as saying. “We are awaiting the medical update.
“The problem that we have now is that we think he may have arrived at Toulon with that injury. Now we have the impression that yes, he was injured when he signed for Toulon.
“If this is the case, we haven’t excluded denouncing (terminating) his contract. We are conducting an investigation.”
Toulon this week announced the signing of star Argentina back Juan Martin Hernandez, and goalkicking problems were underlined in their Top 14 home defeat against Stade Francais three days ago when a number of penalties were missed.
Should Boudjellal decide to ditch Halfpenny, it would raise the possibility of him returning to Wales on a dual contract partly-funded by the Welsh Rugby Union, although he is also likely to attract a worldwide scramble for his services.
