Voilà la raison les gars
French giants Clermont Auvergne cool interest in Wales duo Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones
17 December 2013 04:40 PM By Andy Howell
The French club have been put off by Halfpenny's wage demands, according to reports, and would like to sign Jones after the World Cup
Alun Wyn Jones and Leigh Halfpenny
Clermont Auvergne have cooled their interest in signing Leigh Halfpenny and have put a move to lure Alun Wyn Jones to France on hold.
A source at the French club has revealed they weren’t prepared to break the bank to prise Lions and Wales star Halfpenny away from the Blues.
“They viewed the wage demands put forward by his management for Halfpenny’s services to be excessive,” he said.
“Interest in him has waned. There is a strict budget for players at Clermont and, as it stands, he doesn’t fit into the plans which have been drawn up for the next campaign.
“The club was happy to sign the centre Jonathan Davies from the Scarlets. His primary reason for joining Clermont wasn’t the money but for the quality of the rugby we can provide.”
The French Championships leaders also faced competition from Heineken Cup holders Toulon, who beat Clermont in last season’s European final, for full-back or wing Halfpenny.
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“Clermont wouldn’t want to become involved in a bidding war for him. That’s not the way we operate,” said the source.
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, whose millions bankroll the south of France out-fit, has admitted holding talks with Halfpenny.
“We have been in contact with Halfpenny, but we have not signed him,” he stressed.
Boudjellal also revealed they were interested in Leicester outside-half and England international Toby Flood as a potential goal-kicker and play-maker.
If England’s 2003 World Cup final winning hero Jonny Wilkinson decides to prolong his career by a year, Toulon might also withdraw their interest in Halfpenny.
An added complication is former England full-back Delon Armitage yesterday deciding to extend his contract with Toulon for two more seasons until 2016 could also be a factor.
The 26-times capped international’s future was in doubt in recent weeks with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season, and with Halfpenny having being lined up as a replacement.
Armitage scored the try which enabled Toulon to overhaul Clermont in last season’s Heineken final.
He said: “I’m glad I’ve signed on at a club where I feel good and with who I hope to win more titles.”
Prolific goal-kicker Halfpenny’s stock has risen during a year which has seen him crowned Six Nations player of the tournament and player of the series when the Lions conquered Australia.
He was nominated for the International Rugby Board’s world player of the year award and for the International Rugby Players Association’s version but lost out on both occasions to New Zealand No.8 Kieran Read.
Toulon are also concerned about Halfpenny’s potential availability with the 2015 World Cup fast approaching and Wales having first call on him during the build-up to it.
It’s also the reason why Clermont have toned down their pursuit of Ospreys captain Jones.
They would like him to sign a deal to stay in Wales next season before potentially linking up with them following the England-hosted global showpiece.
That’s why they have given Canada lock Jamie Cudmore, officially the dirtiest rugby in Heineken history with the most red and yellow cards, a year-long extension to his contract.
And they have also signed new France lock star Sebastien Vahaamahina, 22, from James Hook and Luke Charteris’ Perpignan for next season.
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