The Irish Times reports today that Jamie Heaslip is in France holding talks with Toulon after contract talks with the IRFU have reached an impasse. Heaslip signed a three year contract with the union in 2011 which was widely believed to have made him the highest paid player in Ireland but Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal is defined by his ability to throw truckloads of cash at foreign players and words such as impasse and stalled are not ones that feature a lot when it comes to negotiations with him.
Montpellier are also believed to be interested in the number 8 while the Times also reports that Heaslip's preference would be to stay in Ireland. As ever though, the IRFU cannot hope to compete with the financial power of Top 14 clubs so that old chestnut of weighing up cash V the snug confines of the player welfare program rears its head again.
One thing is for sure, turnover's like this = €€€.
