Welsh Rugby
Toulon ready to begin Halfpenny talks
ESPN Staff
September 27, 2013
Leigh Halfpenny shone for the Lions in the summer © PA Photos
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British & Irish Lions star Leigh Halfpenny will travel to Toulon this weekend to begin talks over a contract, according to reports.

Midi Olympique claims Halfpenny will visit the Heineken Cup champions' base after playing Leinster on Friday. The French newspaper reports: "He will visit the club's facilities and discuss a potential contract for next season.

"It is believed that several clubs in England and France were interested, but Toulon is the only one to have opened talks. Toulon wanted to meet the player to make sure he was not trying to use them as a lever to negotiate a bigger contract at home.

"Bernard Laporte is very keen to get Halfpenny, a player he sees as a "role model". He rates Welsh rugby highly and is also interested in Sam Warburton. RCT would like to sign the deal before the two teams meet in the Heineken Cup on October 19."

Halfpenny is one of the most saught after players in world rugby after his hugely impressive showing for the Lions in the summer. He was named Player of the Series and this followed a campaign where he scooped Player of the Six Nations after he helped guide Wales to their second title in as many years.

His contract is up at the end of the season and his fellow Wales team-mates Ian Evans, Alun-Wyn Jones and Adam Jones are also reportedly on the radar of a number of France's top sides.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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