Toulon and Chiefs to contest ‘World Cup of Clubs’

European champions Toulon will face Super 15 winners the Wakaito Chiefs in a world club championship at the start of February, according to reports in France.

The French side have made no secret of their desire to test themselves against the southern hemisphere champions and reports in Midi Olympique claim the two clubs have agreed on February 2nd for the showdown.

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal revealed his plans for a ‘World Cup of Clubs’ earlier in the summer although European Rugby Cup Ltd, the organisers of the Heineken Cup, are unlikely to sanction the match.

“Under the terms of the European Rugby Cup participation agreement that they signed before the competition, the clubs do not have the right to play such a game as European champions especially against the winners of the Super 15, it is stated in the agreement,” ERC president Jean-Pierre Lux explained last month.

“I totally understand that he wanted to do something, but Mr Boudjellal does not have the latitude to organise such a game. It’s a good idea. We have long been in discussion with SANZAR to set up a match like this but it faces the problem of the calendar.”

The proposed date in February will clash with Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Scotland while France play host to England on February 1st.