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Leigh Halfpenny finds himself embroiled in another club versus country row after controversial Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal claimed he wouldn’t pay the Lions Test star’s June wages if he goes on Wales’ tour of New Zealand.

Wales face Steve Hansen’s world champions in three Tests on June 11, 18 and 25, at the same time as Toulon will be aiming for French Top 14 title success.

Warren Gatland names his touring squad on Tuesday and eyes will be on whether Halfpenny will be included.

Gatland's first-choice full-back has been out of action since last September, but is expected to return at the end of this month... just in time for the French Top 14 play-offs, or Wales' summer tour.

World Rugby’s regulation 9 hands national teams autonomy over the clubs and enables them to select their top stars for the international window.

This particular June window would cover Wales' three Tests against New Zealand, which should mean Halfpenny will be down with Gatland’s men rather than helping Toulon trying to regain the French Championship.

But Boudjellal issued a stark warning to Halfpenny if he links up with Wales and invited the Welsh Rugby Union to pay his salary for next month.

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“The players who will go on tour won’t be paid by Toulon,” insisted Toulon President Boudjellal.

“And I am ready to go to court if necessary.

“I’m not here to pay players while they are away earning money for their respective unions or federations,

“They can pay their salary.”

Boudjellal's frustration is linked with the fact he has not seen Halfpenny play for Toulon this season after paying the former Cardiff Blues full-back a reputed wage of up to £600,000.

Halfpenny has been out of action since last September when he sustained knee ligament damage in the final World Cup warm-up match against Italy in September.

The 27-year-old was due to return in mid March but suffered a setback and had to have a second bout of surgery which was more minor than the initial operation.

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte believes Halfpenny will be fit for the weekend of May 28 where his side face Montpellier which is the penultimate round of Top 14 competition.

(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

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It is the same weekend as Wales face England at Twickenham in a summer tour warm-up match on May 29. Halfpenny would not be available to Wales for that Test match because it falls outside of the international window.

The full-back should also be available to Toulon's final league match against Bordeaux-Begles which is staged on the opening weekend of June, a week before Wales’ first Test against New Zealand.

However, Halfpenny would then come under World Rugby regulation 9 and be unavailable for the Top 14 play-offs which are played on the same three weekends as Wales' clashes with New Zealand.

Boudjellal criticised World Rugby’s regulation and accused the Unions he deals with on this matter, including the WRU, as being 'egotistical'.

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“I hope the Unions involved have the intelligence to see that the Top 14 is a true competition,” Boudjellal told the Rugby Paper.

“They need to show a little respect for the clubs who pay the salaries.

“The clubs who pay the wages should have their stars for the most important dates of the season.

“I hope the Unions are understanding but generally we deal with people of real egotism.”

While Boudjelall continues to be at odds over the Welsh Rugby Union over Halfpenny, the Wales coaching staff believe they have a good working rapport with Toulon.

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This is demonstrated in the case of Wales fitness coach Paul Stridgeon. He works with Gatland’s squad during international periods and spends the rest of the season at Toulon.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards was last week linked with a move to Toulon , but the WRU insist he won’t be taking up a job with the French giants, either on a full or part-time basis.