Toulon boss Bernard Laporte revealed today that they might not release Wales prop Gethin Jenkins for the start of the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Head coach Warren Gatland has warned French-based Lions contenders that being unavailable for the tour party’s departure could harm their hopes.
But Laporte says his Lions-qualified players may not be released before June 2, one day after the French Top 14 final.
The Lions kick off their tour on June 1 against the Barbarians in Hong Kong. If Toulon reach the Top 14 final, on the same, Jenkins will be expected to play for them.
He said: “As far as freeing up Gethin, in principle, it’s a no.
“If he plays in the final, he will leave the day after, on Sunday, June 2, but not before.
“We won’t pay a player who has to go and play for the Lions at the most important time of our season.
“There is no specific clause in his contract about it.”
Lions coach Warren Gatland has travelled to France to talk to squad contenders and their clubs about the issue of release today.
Lions’s France-based contenders also includes Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Luke Charteris, James Hook (both Perpignan), Huw Bennett (Lyon) and Andrew Sheridan (Toulon).