European champions Toulon have dismissed reports linking them with Paul O'Connell

European champions Toulon have dismissed reports Ireland captain Paul O'Connell has signed a contract with them.

The 35-year-old Munster legend was heavily linked with a move to the Stade Mayol in the wake of Toulon's European Champions Cup semi-final victory over Leinster on Sunday.

But a statement on the club's website said: "The Rugby Club Toulon, accustomed to all sorts of rumours about future potential recruits, deny what some see as information - namely the signing of the second-row Paul O'Connell.

"The Rugby Club Toulon cautions that Paul O'Connell has not signed a contract with Toulon Rugby Club, and the alleged contacts between the player and the 'Red and Black' are pure speculation."

Toulon's 25-20 extra-time win over Irish giants Leinster booked a Champions Cup final appointment with fellow French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham on May 2 as they seek an unprecedented hat-trick of titles.

Lock O'Connell, who has 101 caps for Ireland and led them to a second consecutive Six Nations crown earlier this year, made his debut for Munster in 2001.