IRELAND rugby captain Paul O’Connell says he intends to get to the bottom of doping allegations against French side Toulon, who he will join after the World Cup.
French broadcaster RTL claims the Top 14 side have been illegally supplying their players with anabolic steroids through local pharmacies.
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has rubbished the report, saying “the journalist didn't do a thorough investigation,” but O’Connell admits it’s not an ideal situation to be walking into, even if he knows little about it.
“Some of the lads told me about it before training, they'd obviously been reading a news website," he said. "I don't know anything about it but I'll be making a phone call to see what the story is.
"It's not a great thing to hear at all, no but hopefully there's a sensible explanation for it. I'm going to try and find out what the story is."
After 14 years with Munster, O’Connell will see out his career in France, where rugby players can earn much greater amounts than in Ireland. He will retire from Ireland once their World Cup campaign has been completed.
