Howley shocked by Toulon's Halfpenny threat

London (AFP) - Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said on Wednesday he was "flabbergasted" after Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal threatened to terminate the contract of Welsh international full-back Leigh Halfpenny.

Halfpenny, 25, joined Toulon from Cardiff Blues during the close season, but a groin injury has prevented the British and Irish Lions star from making his debut for the Top 14 champions.

Boudjellal told French regional newspaper Varmatin on Tuesday that he had "not ruled out breaking (Halfpenny's) contract" due to his failure to disclose the injury, and Howley said he had been astonished by the Toulon chief's remarks.

"I could not understand, in a team environment, when you're trying to create a culture with trust and honesty, to hear comments like that from a club president," Howley said.

"I spoke to Leigh and he was frustrated about not being able to participate in the game.

"When you go to a new club, first and foremost you want to play. But he said he is looking to be running in straight lines and has two weeks to go before he returns.

"That was on Monday, and then on Tuesday I was flabbergasted to see what I read."

Halfpenny dislocated his shoulder during Wales's defeat by England in the Six Nations in March and had go to undergo surgery.

He was expected to be out for around four months, but his comeback has now been further delayed by a groin problem.

But Howley feels that despite Boudjellal's frustrations, Halfpenny's commitment to regaining fitness should not be called into question.

"When you sign players you should know what they're about, and Leigh is meticulous and his attention to detail is immense," added Howley, who was speaking at the launch of a Welsh Rugby Union campaign about concussion.

"It's not nice to hear when a president comes out and questions whether you did an injury before arriving at a club, which was not the case."

He added: "I know Toulon have been going through a tough time in the last three or four weeks.

"When you are a president and you've invested a lot into a club and you're going through a difficult time in terms of results, you are going to be frustrated. But I am sure Leigh will be disappointed by the comments."

Cardiff chief executive Richard Holland has confirmed the Welsh region would be interested in re-signing Halfpenny if he became available.