Toulon Slapped with Massive Fine for Biggar Signing.

Posted 3 days ago

Toulon has been hit with a hefty €500,000 (£425,000) fine by French Top 14 rugby authorities following their acquisition of former Wales captain Dan Biggar from English club Northampton Saints in November 2022.

Toulon, the three-time European Cup champions, have been fined €500,000 (£425,000) by the French Top 14 rugby authorities due to alleged lack of transparency in the signing of former Wales captain Dan Biggar from Northampton Saints in November 2022.

According to the Ligue Nationale de Rugby's disciplinary commission, Toulon failed to disclose a severance compensation of up to £350,000 that Northampton paid to the 34-year-old fly-half in official documents.

Such payments can impact the league's salary cap, set at €10 million (£8.5 million) for each team.

Toulon has stated they will contest the fine, asserting that they have not breached the salary cap ceiling.

"The Rugby Club Toulonnais has noted the decision of the disciplinary commission regarding the lack of transparency and cooperation related to the salary cap," their statement read. "It should be emphasized that we have not exceeded the salary cap, as acknowledged by both the Ligue Nationale de Rugby and its disciplinary committee."

Toulon plans to appeal the decision to the appeals commission of the French Rugby Federation in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Dan Biggar, who retired from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup with 109 caps for Wales and three for the British and Irish Lions, has been dealing with a persistent back injury since November 2023. There's speculation that Toulon may consider terminating his contract, which still has a year remaining.