Stade Toulousain offers Meafou reason to stay

Emmanuel Meafou could remain at Stade Toulousain after the club improved its proposal for the Australia international. The second-row forward had been strongly linked with a move to Stade Français, but Toulouse has now moved closer to its rival on salary and matched the proposed contract length.

Meafou also fuelled optimism among Toulouse supporters with an Instagram post celebrating Sunday’s victory over Bordeaux-Bègles. The post included several images from the match and used Olivia Dean’s song “Reason to Stay” as its soundtrack. Supporters responded by urging him to continue with the club.

The situation is significant because Toulouse is facing major squad pressure ahead of the 2027-28 season. Salary-cap restrictions and sanctions imposed during the summer could force the club to lose several senior players whose contracts are approaching their end.

Thomas Ramos has already been announced as a future Racing 92 player, while France flanker François Cros is set to join Lyon. Meafou had appeared likely to become the next major departure, but Toulouse’s revised offer and his latest social-media post have opened the possibility of a change in direction.