Halfpenny in contract Limbo

Wales star Leigh Halfpenny's career with European champions Toulon could become clearer in the next few days.

A cloud has been cast over his future at Stade Felix Mayol by controversial Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.

Boudjellal has claimed in a French newspaper that terminating Halfpenny's existing two-year contract cannot be discounted due to ongoing injury problems.

Halfpenny moved to Toulon from Cardiff Blues this summer on a lucrative deal. It was formally announced in January.

He suffered a dislocated shoulder during Wales' RBS 6 Nations defeat against England at Twickenham in March and underwent surgery ahead of an anticipated four month lay-off.

But the 25-year-old goalkicking full-back, who was British and Irish Lions player of the series against Australia last year, is now struggling with a groin injury. He has yet to play for Toulon, and Boudjellal is rapidly losing patience.

Should Boudjellal decide to ditch Halfpenny, it would raise the possibility of him returning to Wales - and possibly the Blues - on a dual contract partly-funded by the Welsh Rugby Union, although he is also likely to attract a worldwide scramble for his services. His existing Toulon contract is reputedly worth more than £1million.

"We are awaiting the medical update," Boudjellal told the Varmatin newspaper.

"The problem that we have now is that we think he may have arrived at Toulon with that injury. Now we have the impression that yes, he was injured when he signed for Toulon.

"If this is the case, we haven't excluded denouncing (terminating) his contract. We are conducting an investigation."

Blues chief executive Richard Holland, meanwhile, has confirmed the region's interest in Halfpenny should he become available.

"Cardiff Blues offered Leigh Halfpenny a contract prior to his departure to Toulon, and of course, we would be interested if he became available, be that on a dual contract or a regional deal," Holland told Wales Online.

"We will be speaking to his representatives to find out the state of play regarding his contract situation and we will take things from there.

"We would be extremely keen to have back a player of Leigh's calibre, and I am sure it would excite our supporters.

"If the reports are true, we are keen to explore this."