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Ireland centre Bundee Aki in talks with Toulon
By Neil Fissler
Toulon have launched an ambitious attempt to lure Ireland and Lions inside centre Bundee Aki to the Cote d’Azur when his contract with the Irish Rugby Union runs out at the end of the season.
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Midi Olympique are reporting that Toulon have lined up Aki, who will be 35 next April, to replace Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is returning to New Zealand next season in a bid to kick-start his international career.
Fainga’anuku, who plays at 13 for Toulon and has won seven All-Black caps, has signed a two-year deal to rejoin the Crusaders after shinning in his 18 months in France, scoring ten tries in 22 appearances after his move following the 2024 World Cup.
He isn’t the only centre Toulon have coming to the end of their contracts. Samoan international Duncan Paia’aua could leave the club, while the futures of Mathieu Smaili and Jeremy Sinzelle are less than certain.
Auckland Aki, who has spent the last decade playing for Connacht, where he is closing in on 150 appearances, hasn’t yet been offered a new deal by the Irish Rugby Union for next season had held a video meeting with Toulon.
The news that Aki is seriously considering a move to France comes less than a move after he was pictured receiving his Irish citizenship from Minister for Justice Helen McEntee during a ceremony in Dublin.
“I’ve been here for a very long time. I’ve embraced the people, and the people have embraced me and my family as well. We feel like we’re at home. To be granted citizenship is not something you take lightly,” Aki told the Irish Times.
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Aki could also be a target for Provence Rugby and Biarritz, who are both gunning for promotion from the Pro D2 this season, but Toulon, who have already landed Zach Mercer from Gloucester, are the clear favourites to land him.