Force still in O'Connor's plans
Sacked Wallabies star James O'Connor will join big-spending French side Toulon - but it will not rule him out of a return to the Western Force for the 2015 season in a bid to claim a World Cup spot.
O'Connor's manager David Shand confirmed that a one-year deal had been struck with the French Top 14 club for their 2014-15 season but said O'Connor still wanted to return to Australia to become eligible for the Wallabies.
It is understood O'Connor's new contract will include a clause allowing him to leave Toulon if a Super Rugby club agrees to sign him.
He is expected to chase a two-year Super Rugby deal and it is understood the Force have been kept informed of his intentions.
They could re-open talks with O'Connor but a return would be strictly on the club's terms and if he re-signed they would want him in Perth in December.
Coach Michael Foley said: "We are not going to be a stop-over point for people who have other goals and are not focused on the ones we have at the club."
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has told O'Connor he would need to be playing with an Australian Super Rugby franchise if he wanted to be considered for the World Cup.
The Force were favourites to re-sign their prodigal son when he was released by the Melbourne Rebels and the Wallabies following a drunken incident at Perth airport in September when he was escorted from the premises for arguing with airline staff but he moved to London Irish to play in the English Premiership.
