Twist.

Reports emerged on Friday afternoon that Connacht and Ireland centre Bundee Aki recently held talks with French giants Toulon about a potential move at the end of the season.

Aki remains a key player for both Connacht and Ireland but is said to have had a virtual call with Toulon to discuss the possibility of a move with the centre set to turn 35 in April.

The Top 14 side want Aki to replace Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is returning to New Zealand next season to reignite his international career, having won 7 caps for the All Blacks before joining Toulon.

Aki recently received Irish citizenship, having joined Connacht over a decade ago. He has played 57 times for Ireland and remains a key figure for Andy Farrell but a move to France would make him ineligible for selection.

But while his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, it has emerged that the IRFU reportedly have a clause in his contract to automatically extend it by a year should they wish.

If this is the case and the clause is activated, Toulon would have to buy him out of his contract. This is not out of the realm of possibility and has occurred in the past, particularly with French clubs who have the finances to do so. But it certainly does complicate matters.

Toulon recently paid a fee to Munster for Antoine Frisch who was in a similar contract situation so we’ll just have to wait and see how this one with Aki plays out.