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It appears the fallout has begun following the announcement on Monday that Top 14 sides Racing 92 and Stade Francais are set to merge at the end of the season.
In a move that will likely signal a culling of contracts and release of players, it is being reported Paris based English journalist Gavin Mortimer, that French news outlet L’Equipe have reported that France international Maxime Machenaud has made contact with Top 14 giants Toulon.
According to @lequipe in light of yesterday's merger announcement, Maxime Machenaud has allegedly put in a call to Toulon
1/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 14, 2017
The 28-year-old scrum-half is currently contracted to Racing 92 but if the alleged contact has indeed been made, it makes for worrying reading as players from both sides are considering their options in the light of the merger news.
Mortimer also reveals that Stade’s scrum-half Will Genia is set to return to Australia at the end of the season and that Racing’s Fiji international Leone Nakarawa is also keen to leave Paris.
While Will Genia is heading back to Oz, though he'd already planned to do go. Leone Nakarawa also not enjoying Paris, & wants to leave
2/2— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) March 14, 2017
The apparent unrest in the two sides will now likely throw up questions about some of the other big names at both clubs. With the likes of Dan Carter, Sergio Parisse and numerous other internationals set to be impacted by the new team dynamic, it remains to be seen just how the new roster will look come the start of the new Top 14 season in the autumn.
Gary Brennan, Pundit Arena
On this week’s edition of The Oval Office Podcast, Lee Byrne tells us what’s gone wrong with Wales and how many dragons are likely to feature for the Lions.
