McCaw offered big-money French move?

Editor

Reports in France are suggesting that Richie McCaw may join All Blacks team-mate Conrad Smith at French club Pau after the World Cup.

Smith confirmed his move to the current ProD2 leaders – who are almost sure to win promotion to the Top 14 – earlier this month and Midi Olympique have reported that McCaw has been offered in the region of €750,000 a year in salary to  join him.

Reports are citing Pau coach Simon Mannix's New Zealand connections as behind the move.  

Last week, Toulon boss Bernard Laporte said he was "aware that Pau had made Richie McCaw an offer and that it was fat" although those claims have since been denied by both the club's coach and president.

The New Zealand skipper has long maintained that he has no interest in a move overseas but he is a close friend of Smith, whose decision to join Pau was based on family and it being "quiet and relaxed."

Pau vice-president Yannick Le Garreres told La République des Pyrénées newspaper that Laporte was off the mark.

"Laporte is just being Laporte, as usual. We do not know what he's talking about," he said.