LONDON - French rugby club Toulon has shrugged off the controversy surrounding their new star, runaway Bulldogs player Sonny Bill Williams.
Williams, 23, has signed a one-year deal to switch codes and play rugby union in the south of France, despite his contract with the Bulldogs and anongoing legal battle to stop the move.
But Toulon is not apologising for luring the 23-year-old.
"His departure from Australia to play rugby union has caused a lot of ink to flow, sold a lot of papers and allowed a lot of Australian supporters to release their pent-up frustrations by mail but the facts are there - Sonny Bill Williams is well and truly a Toulon player for the 2008/09 season (with an option of one year)," Toulon said in a statement.
Toulon has hailed the arrival of the New Zealand international on its website.
Williams is expected to make his first appearance for the club in a friendly match on Friday.
However, ongoing legal action by the NRL and Bulldogs could spell an end to his plan.
They are seeking an injunction to stop Williams from playing in any competition except the NRL.
The NSW Supreme Court will on Friday hear an application for an injunction against William's plan to play in France later that day.
