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Rhys Webb's agent has addressed Toulon president's latest outburst
By Harry West
Rhys Webb has followed Toulon team-mate Julian Savea's lead in defending himself in the wake of criticism from club president Mourad Boudjellal.
Saturday's 19-10 defeat away at Agen left big-spending Toulon languishing 11th in the Top 14 table, 14 points adrift of the top six and a place in the play-offs.
Boudjellal took aim at some of his players after the disappointing result, with Savea one of those mentioned in comments made to RMC on Sunday.
The New Zealand wing was seemingly told he was no longer welcome at Toulon, though the player responded on Twitter by saying he would ignore the negativity and continue to honour his contract by training and playing for the team.
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As for Webb, Boudjellal said: "His agents are offering him all over Wales, while he still owes us one more year on his contract. Don't worry, I won't hold him back."
Those comments prompted Webb's representatives to issue a riposte, explaining the trying personal circumstances the British and Irish Lion scrum-half had endured while insisting he had no intention of departing the club.
"The last month or so has been really difficult for Rhys with his family moving back to Wales because one of his sons found it hard to settle out there and adjust to being in a French language school," said Webb's agent Derwyn Jones.
"However, Rhys wants to make it clear he hasn't had any conversations with the club at all about leaving Toulon.
"He has a strong family network which will support his fiancee and children back home in Bridgend. Toulon have openly said he's one of the most professional players they have come across.
"Rhys' immediate goal is to help the club start winning again and make the top six in the French league. The club have spoken to me to say they are concerned about how Rhys will cope without his family.
"But Rhys has assured me he's committed to the club. The club have not indicated to me they are unhappy with Rhys, which is a totally separate conversation. So Rhys remains committed to the team."
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Latest Comments
No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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