French grins get wider as rugby stars pitch up in Riviera

The eyes are gleaming, the handshakes almost as warm as the golden sands a mile or two away.

As Quade Cooper enjoys a warm welcome from Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal, his Australian clubmates Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau are posting pictures online of their days on the French Riviera.

On that same afternoon, Bath are trying to clean up the mess left by the departure of Sam Burgess and Munster are attempting to calm fears Simon Zebo is off to Toulouse.