Things are moving at the MHR: Paolo Garbisi leaving for Toulon with immediate effect, Christopher Tolofua arrives, two Montpellier residents are leaving

Paolo Garbisi et Christopher Tolofua devraient se croiser lundi prochain. MIDI LIBRE/MAXPPP – Jean-Michel Mart

As revealed by Midi Olympique this Thursday, January 25, Paolo Garbisi and Christopher Tolofua will cross paths next week. The first goes to Toulon, the other arrives in Montpellier. 

Christopher Tolofua in Montpellier, the information had been circulating for several weeks, as you could have read in these columns. According to Midi Olympique, and we are able to confirm it, the international hooker (30 years old, 8 caps) should arrive next week at the MHR.

According to our information, Tolofua should, immediately, sign a two and a half year contract with the 2022 French champion club. 

The operation includes Italian fly-half Paolo Garbisi, who was also absent from collective training this Wednesday. The 23-year-old international (31 caps) will therefore leave Hérault two and a half years after his arrival.

Rumors have been sending him to the Harbor lately. The player's entourage assured us that no contact had been established."They say that there is no smoke without fire. But there is no smoke there", we were told last week. Everything went very quickly to complete the file.

"Paolo, he never came to tell me that he wanted to leave. If he tells me that he wants to leave because his life is in Italy, I'm not going to tell him: “Shut up, you're staying here”. But for the moment I don't feel unhappy. He’s a competitor”, confided Montpellier rugby director Bernard Laporte in the columns of Midi Libre. It is therefore in red and black that the future of the Venetian will take shape.

Chauvac and Doan leave

Midi Olympique also reveals that the left pillar of RC Toulon, Dany Priso (30 years old, 19 caps), could join the MHR this season next.

At the left pillar position, precisely, the MHR will separate with immediate effect from Simon-Pierre Chauvac (25 years old). Arriving from Brive in the summer of 2022, he was often injured. Its drop-off point should be near Pau.

Finally, scrum half Martin Doan should also leave Montpellier. Returning from Mont-de-Marsan last summer, number nine seriously injured his foot. He could get involved with Bourgoin, in Nationale.