Paul O’Connell is the player Toulon stars want most

Toulon are after winning the European Cup for the third year in a row and owner Mourad Boudjellal has a cheque book which could sign any player in the world, but inside the dressing room Paul O’Connell is the one they want. 

Former Argentine captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, who came off the bench to steer them home against Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham on Saturday, said that O’Connell would be a huge addition to the French giants.

“I will be delighted if he comes. He is a legend of this game.

“I think he has all the qualities that this group has been pushing for over the last few years.

“It means hard work, being humble and doing everything for the group and that is the way he is,” said the Puma.

Wallaby Drew Mitchell, who scored the clinching try in spectacular fashion on Saturday, said in the build-up to the final showdown that O’Connell would be ‘an invaluable addition’ to Toulon.

Lobbe said that the 35-year old Irish captain would fit right in at Toulon, especially with World Cup winning locks Ali Williams and Bakkies Botha set to retire at the end of the season.

Lobbe, who himself is 33 and has a contract with Toulon until 2017, said that age is not an issue and there is a history of players seeing out their final days on a high with the French side.

Williams is 34, Botha is 35 and so too is All Black prop Carl Hayman, who is also retiring this summer, while club captain Chris Masoe will be 36 later this month. The Argentine star said that O’Connell is clearly on top of his game would have a big impact with Toulon.

“Age is not an issue. We saw the way he played in the Six Nations, he is just an amazing player.

“He is great in the lineouts and he could be a great acquisition for us. I hope he comes.

“But I’m not the president so it is not my decision but it would be great if he comes,” added the flanker.