Toulon’s salary cap ultimatum could seriously damage Irish rugby

Mourad Boudjellal expecte more. Lots more.

The Toulon owner is not best pleased that his expensively assembled squad are not blowing the opposition away. The reigning European champions are going for their fourth successive cup triumph this season but are third in the Top 14 and second in Champions Cup Pool E. They have lost five of their 15 games this season. Hardly a crisis but not good enough for Boudejellal. According to Paris-based rugby reporter Gavin Mortimer, he declared:

"It's true; I'm waiting for a lot more from Quade Cooper and he's not at the level for which I recruited him. "I can't tell you that I have don't have concerns when I see the actual performances of Ma'a Nonu."

Boudjellal also tore into versatile New Zealand back Tom Taylor, who has been asked to take up the kicking duties in many games. https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/685364693507174401 One of the most interesting aspects from Boudjellal's interview, however, concerned the Top 14 salary cap. A moveable feast as it is, club's are supposed to curb their spending at €10m for player wages. Boudejellal is unhappy that French league [LNR] officials have introduced what he believes to be retrospective measures to punish big-spending sides. He believes Toulon are being unfairly punished and has threatened to withdraw his team from the Top 14 unless the LNR backs down. Toulon paid €8.55m in player wages in 2014/15 but agree separate, commercial deals for top players that count as lucrative add-ons. Were this stand-off to go Toulon's way, it could mean several French sides paying beyond the salary cap to attract more foreign talents. Paul O'Connell left Munster, last summer, to join Toulon on a two-year deal while the same province could not compete with the salary offers of Pau and lost both Sean Dougall and Paddy Butler. Ian Madigan will join Bordeaux next season on a base salary around €250,000. The IRFU will be following this saga closely.