Former Hull FC, Toronto and Huddersfield hooker granted early release from Toulouse contract

Toulouse Olympique have seen their star hooker leave the side after only one year of his two year contract due to family circumstances.

James Cunningham was the first signing that the French side made after securing promotion to Super League.

Signing in February 2022 on a two year deal following a move from Huddersfield, the 28-year-old made 12 Super League appearances for Olympique.

However he has already split from the French side and took to Instagram to reveal the reason behind his departure.

“With a heavy heart I’d like to announce that I’ll be leaving @toulouseolympiquerugby early due to family circumstances out of my control. Thank you to the club and fans for making the past year so special. We arrived a couple and we left a family, memories to last a lifetime.”

The former Hull FC and London Bronco tagged his wife in the post as well but with no further statement from the player or the club it’s unclear if he’ll seek a new club in England for 2023.

Cunningham has made 57 Super League appearances, 12 for the French side, but was a main-stay in a London Broncos side that got relegated in 2019 on points difference.

He leaves a Toulouse side that has already made five signings in their bid to return to the Super League having only won five games last season.

One of those key signings this season is Welsh international half-back Josh Ralph and he’ll orchestrate for the French side in what’s set to be a competitive Championship campaign.