O’Connor set to join European champions Toulon

Former Wallaby James O’Connor looks set to join Heineken Cup champions Toulon next season almost certainly ending his chances of playing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

O’Connor had his contract with the Australian Rugby Union torn up after a series of alcohol related incidents earlier this year.

He left Australia and is currently playing for Aviva Premiership Rugby club London Irish.

His current deal with London Irish is until the end of this season and it is believed that O’Connor intended to return to Australia in time for the 2015 Super Rugby season.

However French media are reporting that the twenty-three-year-old has agreed to join Toulon where he will play alongside former team mates Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.

O’Connor joined London Irish in November but was seen a few days later in talks with Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal and director of recruitment Laurent Emmanuelli.

L’Equipe newspaper say that the deal is a “certainty” but they have not revealed the length of his contract.

Australia head coach Ewen McKenzie has a policy of only selecting players for
the Wallabies who play their game for Australian based teams.