Wednesday 17 September 2014 15:42, UK
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley admits he was stunned at comments by Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal over Leigh Halfpenny's fitness.
Boudjellal claimed in a French newspaper that Halfpenny 'could have been injured when he joined the club' and that 'terminating his contract could not be discounted' due to the full-back's ongoing problems.
The Wales and British and Irish Lions player suffered a dislocated shoulder during his country's Six Nations defeat against England in March and had surgery ahead of an anticipated four mounts out.
But the 25-year-old is now struggling with a groin injury and has yet to play for Toulon, who signed him from Cardiff Blues in the summer in a deal reportedly worth more than £1million.
Halfpenny’s agent Tim Lopez is understood to have travelled to France following the reported remarks from Boudjellal and Howley revealed he had spoken with Halfpenny on Monday, 24 hours before the Frenchman spoke out.
I was flabbergasted to see what I read. I could not understand, in a team environment, when you're trying to create a culture with trust and honesty, to hear comments like that from a club president.
"I spoke to Leigh and he was frustrated in not being able to participate in the game," said Howley at the launch of the new Welsh Rugby Union concussion campaign.
"When you go to a new club, first and foremost you want to play. But he said he is looking to be running in straight lines and has two weeks to go before he returns.
"That was on Monday, and then on Tuesday I was flabbergasted to see what I read. I could not understand, in a team environment, when you're trying to create a culture with trust and honesty, to hear comments like that from a club president.
"When you sign players you should know what they're about, and Leigh is meticulous and his attention to detail is immense. It's not nice to hear when a president comes out and questions whether you did an injury before arriving at a club, which was not the case.
"The injury which Leigh had initially was a shoulder problem sustained against England last March in the Six Nations. The recent groin problem has occurred as he tries to rehab and play again.
"I know Toulon have been going through a tough time in the last three or four weeks. When you are a president and you've invested a lot into a club and you're going through a difficult time in terms of results. you are going to be frustratged but I am sure Leigh will be disappointed by the comments."
Should Halfpenny leave Toulon it would raise the possibility of him returning to Wales on a dual contract partly-funded by the WRU, although it is unlikely to be the only offer on the table.
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland has already confirmed the region's interest in Halfpenny saying: "We will be speaking to his representatives to find out the state of play regarding his contract situation and we will take it from there.
"We would be extremely keen to have back a player of Leigh's calibre and I am sure it would excite our supporters. If the reports are true, we are keen to explore this."
