Club slapped with huge fine over fly-half Dan Biggar transfer

A probe by France's salary cap commission revealed discrepancies surrounding the payment of up to £350,000 in severance compensation by Northampton to Biggar.

The commission found that this payment was not properly declared in Toulon's official documents.

The eye-watering fine, handed down on Tuesday night, is particularly severe as Toulon were previously found guilty of similar transparency issues during the signing of Cheslin Kolbe in 2021. The French rugby giants have announced their intention to appeal the decision.

“The €500,000 fine is strongly contested by the club, who will appeal this decision in the coming days to the French Rugby Federation Appeals Commission,” the three-time European Cup winners said in a statement.

After retiring from international rugby, Owens has revealed three of the worst rugby stars he ever had to officiate during his career. 

Healey is a former English rugby union player known for his versatility and dynamic playing style. He enjoyed a distinguished career with Leicester Tigers and England, earning 51 caps. Post-retirement, Healey transitioned into media, becoming a respected pundit and commentator, contributing his insights to rugby coverage.

Owens said: “Definitely Healey. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully.

"A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him.

"He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”

Biggar is a Welsh rugby union player celebrated for his precise kicking and tactical brilliance. A stalwart for both the Welsh national team and his clubs Ospreys, Northampton and Toulon. Biggar's career highlights include Six Nations triumphs and memorable club performances.

Renowned for his resilience and leadership, he remained a key figure for Wales up until his retirement following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Owens said: "Oh god yes, Biggar can be a tricky customer on the field.

"He's so focused and so passionate about what he's doing no matter the game or occasion, we've had a few run ins on the pitch down the years.

"I mean, it's always been in a respectful way and we always have a drink and a laugh after the game."

"The Ospreys scrum-half has actually started refereeing now, but he'd always be in my ear all game when he was a player. He certainly thought he knew the laws then."

OWENS SAID: "Itoje is someone who plays right on the edge. That is what makes him such a great player. He must be so difficult to play against but he’s also difficult to referee and I mean that with the utmost respect. 

"He plays with passion and on the line. It is difficult to tell Itoje not to bring the same confrontation and aggression to the game that he usually does. It would take away from his game.

"You don’t want him to change the way he plays but he needs to pick and choose when he gambles on the situation and when he doesn’t. And understand better those moments when you are under pressure and knowing when, if you take a risk and get it wrong, you will land your team in real trouble."

Owens said: “Definitely! ROG and (Peter) Stringer, oh, when you had to referee the two of them together.

"I always got on well with the both of them though. I have a huge amount of respect for them, but they made my days hard on occasions. They were lippy in a respectful way.”