While the Reds embark on the South African leg of their Super Rugby campaign, playmaker Quade Cooper is reportedly going to be checking out the facilities at French Top 14 club Toulon.
French clubs are keen to finalise their signings for next season, and Cooper has told The Australian that he is on the clock if he is to join Reds’ teammates James Horwill and Will Genia in heading to Europe after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“When there are so many things in limbo, then you have to look at what’s best for you,” Cooper said.
“I can only look at what’s set in stone. The French clubs want a decision pretty quickly.”
Reports have emerged out of France today that Cooper will look at Toulon this week, while the Reds are in South Africa ahead of their clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Colin Slade confirms he's joining Conrad Smith @SectionPaloise Meanwhile, @QuadeCooper is due @RCTofficiel this week for a look-see #Top14
— Martin Gillingham (@MartGillingham) April 13, 2015
The Sydney Morning Herald‘s Phil Lutton has written a story saying as much.
There is no word yet on what Cooper’s chances of signing with the French club are. He has attracted significant interest from French clubs before, but has so far played out his entire professional rugby career with the Reds.
Cooper is currently sitting out injured with a shoulder injury, and is due back in early June for the Reds.
Both Frederick Michalak and Matt Giteau are currently contracted at Toulon in playmaking roles, along with Argentine international Juan Martin Hernandez.