Carl Fearns' explosive response to claims he's in France purely for money

Powerhouse English backrow Carl Fearns has hit out on social media at claims that he is only in France because of money, after a deal to return to the English premiership with Gloucester fell apart this week.

Fearns (28) had been set to move to Gloucester, but it became clear this week that his heart was no longer in the move and it is understood that Lyon are to make substantial financial compensation to Gloucester to buy him out of the contract he signed to move to the Aviva Premiership side for the 2017/18 season.

In the wake of the deal, Gloucester CEO Stephen Vaughan told Gloucestershire Live this week that: “Nothing changed at this end. A big part of his reason to come back to these shores was to get in the England setup, which was a massive thing, and we fought off a number of clubs to get his signature.

“Why Lyon approached him months later was beyond us. It was a financial decision (for Fearns) and one he will live or die by.”

However the 6'3, 120kg Fearns has taken exception to claims that his decision is one made purely on financial grounds.

Fearns in a post to the social media platform stated: "I am genuinely amazed by the notion that people with a decent bit of grey matter between their ears have taken it upon themselves to decide that my ONLY reason for remaining in France was a financial one.

"Do you honestly believe that if I didn't love this city, the rugby club, the fans, if my children weren't settled and my partner wasn't happy that a few extra euros would have sufficed?

"There is more to happiness and well being than financial gain. The truth is I have never enjoyed my rugby more than here in Lyon and in the Top14. End of."

There have been a queue of clubs wanting to gain the signature of Fearns, who left Bath to go to Lyon in the wake of the Sam Burgess debacle, where despite exceptional form Fearns was unable to get a consistent starting position at the club.