Saints coach Dickens not aware of Toulon bid for star Manoa

STAR MAN - Saints enforcer Samu Manoa has been linked with a lucrative move to Toulon (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Reports in the French media suggest the Top 14 giants have made a move for Manoa in a bid to freshen up their back row options.

The 29-year-old has been a star man for Saints since arriving from San Francisco Golden Gate in the summer of 2011.

He scooped the supporters’ player of the year prize last season and was shortlisted for the RPA players’ player of the year award.

And while he knows the powerhouse forward will inevitably attract interest from big-money bidders, Dickens is not aware of Toulon’s interest.

“I’ve not heard anything about that,” he said. “I don’t know where it’s come from and it’s the first I’ve heard of it.

“The situation regarding the salary cap has been in the press a lot and a lot’s been said about players lured to France, and it’s always going to turn heads.

“Everyone that comes here on a weekend sees the quality Samu brings to the side and he’s a real quality player.

“He was supporters’ player of the year last year and he’s a good bloke within the squad, not only with what he does on the pitch but also what he does around the place.”