Dan Biggar’s shaky future at Toulon has been thrown a lifeline of sorts with reports that a potential return by Louis Carbonnel to the club have been squashed.
Flyhalf Carbonnel – a hometown favourite in Toulon – is likely to stay with Top 14 strugglers Montpellier, news which offers Biggar a glimmer of hope in his bid to complete his term in the South of France. Carbonnel had been linked to both Stade Francais and a return to Toulon, his departure from the latter proving a sore point with fans.
Toulon president Bernard Lemaître has however voiced concerns over Biggar’s performances following his freakish back injury last year – hinting at an uncertain road ahead for the Welsh legend. Toulon have a history of coming to agreements to end contracts with players who don’t live up to their billing, even when injury has been the major contributing factor.
Despite Biggar’s push to reclaim his form since the injury last November, the question of his tenure with Toulon remains open with his contract set to expire in 2025.
The arrival of Italian Six Nations star Paulo Garbisi into the team further complicates Biggar’s situation, casting doubt of his future importance to the club. There is little doubt that with Garbisi on the books, if Carbonnel had returned to Toulon then Biggar’s time in the red and black would have come to an end, by hook or by crook.
RCT president Lemaître hinted at an ongoing evaluation of Biggar’s contribution to Toulon: “Since his back injury, Dan has struggled to come back. He is better, but has not returned to his best level. Not even last year’s. It’s difficult for a champion of this size. He still wants to play, to complete his contract. We will see in the coming months.”
Beginning his professional journey with the Ospreys, where he became a cornerstone of the team, Biggar amassed over 600 international points, contributing significantly to Wales’ successes over the last decade, including Grand Slam victories and crucial Rugby World Cup performances.
In 2023 Biggar retired from international rugby following the Rugby World Cup in France.
