Martin Castrogiovanni signs for Toulon

[jauzy19]

Done deal according to La Provence this afternoon.

http://www.laprovence.com/actu/sports-e ... rogiovanni

[G.K]

Après Bryan Habana et John Smit, Mourad Boudjellal va semble-t-il offrir un nouveau cadeau aux supporters du RC Toulon. Selon La Provence, le pilier Martin Castrogiavanni (31 ans, 1m86, 122kg) évoluera avec les Varois la saison prochaine. L’international italien (82 sélections) arrive de Leicester dont il défendait les couleurs depuis 2006 avec trois titres de champion d’Angleterre à la clé. Toulon n'a, pour le moment, pas confirmé l'information.

Seems to indicate at Toulon from next season and appears to originate from Bryan Habana and John Smit - but not yet confirmed by Toulon.

[jauzy19]

French clubs can't confirm anything before the 21st of April.

[PM76]

I'll wait until it's confirmed but its not really surprising- Tigers have Balmain coming through and Logo can play TH too. Castro, despite his improved recent form, is not the player he was, combine this with Dan's progression and the salary cap and it makes sense for both parties.

It would be really sad to see him leave but his salary may free up some money for Mafi, Salvi, the Youngs brothers, Kitchener and, hopefully, many more to stay.

Castro will always be a Tigers legend and hopefully its a rumour and a case of 2+2=5 but I doubt it.

[WhitecapTiger]

Seems to indicate at Toulon from next season and appears to originate from Bryan Habana and John Smit - but not yet confirmed by Toulon.

Not sure it originates from Habana or Smit, think it's meaning they've also been 'acquired' for next season, and following them Castro appears to be on the verge of becoming ( an agreement is about to be concluded) a Racing Club Toulon recruit from next season.

Like PM76 says, it's not really surprising, Cole is, IMO, our starting TH now and we have Balmain coming through, Logo can play either side and don't we also have Kieron Brooks (currently loaned out at Doncaster I think)?. Makes financial sense to all concerned IF true, let's wait for confirmation one way or the other. Will be sad to see him leave, always be welcome back, Legends always are!

Does the Jan 1st deadline for talking to players under contract apply to French / foreign clubs? - unless of course Tigers have given the alleged talks the go ahead.

[G.K]

Yes just re-read it - it's apres not d'apres!

[johns]

The restriction only applies to English (PRL) clubs

[WhitecapTiger]

The restriction only applies to English (PRL) clubs

Thanks johns maybe that would also apply to the clubs who "may" have popped up on Salvi's radar during negotiations.

[Bundy]

Whether or not it's true it does raise again the issue of the salary cap differential - we will, along with all other English clubs risk having our best players poached and the Heineken Cup even more elusive as a result!

[kornboy130]

Raises an interesting question what do you do when your marquee player leaves... as his wages were essentially irrelevant to the cap anyway... so do you handicap yourself by the difference and put your next highest paid player in there and distribute their less considerable wages around the cap to top up other wages? Or do you sign another superstar whose wages are irrelevant to the cap.

[longlivethecrumbie]

Raises an interesting question what do you do when your marquee player leaves... as his wages were essentially irrelevant to the cap anyway... so do you handicap yourself by the difference and put your next highest paid player in there and distribute their less considerable wages around the cap to top up other wages? Or do you sign another superstar whose wages are irrelevant to the cap.

I didn't think you could make an existing player your marquee player? I thought it had to be someone from outside of the club.

[Jay C]

I didn't think you could make an existing player your marquee player? I thought it had to be someone from outside of the club.

But that's what we did with Castro wasn't it ?

[tigerburnie]

If it's true then good luck to him he has been a true Tiger.

[sam16111986]

Gutted he's off, has been a great player and a genuinely nice bloke whilst here. A Tigers legend.

Re the salary cap, you declare the marquee player at the start of each season with up to 300k being out the cap. The only restriction is you can't use the marquee ruling to sign an English player from another English club. Or that's how I understood it. Cole would slot in as the marquee player Balmain and Brookes would be asked to step up, maybe Bower as well.

[sapajo]

I thought Castro was still under contract for next season?

If this story is factual, we will have lost a true Tigers legend and a tremendous personality who exemplifies pride and joy playing in a Tigers shirt. I will deeply miss him