Munster supporters worried about Paul O’Connell’s future can breathe again

Positive omen from France.

On Sunday, less than 24 hours after Toulon claimed their third consecutive European Cup, their president said his club would sign 'one of'' Paul O'Connell or Duane Vermeulen. Mourad Boudjellal told RMC Sport that the club had targeted the Irish captain and the South African back-row as their transfer priorities. Considering that Ronan O'Gara, O'Connell's friend and former teammate, proclaimed that Toulon always get their man, Boudjellal's words did not bode well. News from the south of France this morning, courtesy of La Provence, may well end the O'Connell-to-Toulon saga. The newspaper is reporting that Toulon have signed Vermeulen, from Super Rugby's Stormers, on a three-year deal. Given that Ali Williams and Bakkies Botha are both retiring at the end of the season, it would be strange if Toulon did not look to bring in a proven second row for next season. For now, though, O'Connell is going nowhere. His contract is with Munster and Ireland until June 2016.