Rugby: Force ends talks with Europe bound O'Connor

The Western Force says its negotiations with James O'Connor over a Super Rugby contract have ended after the troubled Wallaby informed the club he was planning to play in Europe. Photo / Getty Images.

The Western Force says its negotiations with James O'Connor over a Super Rugby contract have ended after the troubled Wallaby informed the club he was planning to play in Europe.

The Force was the only one of Australia's five Super Rugby clubs prepared to contract O'Connor after he was released by the Melbourne Rebels at the end of the 2013 season. The Australian Rugby Union earlier this month terminated O'Connor's rich national contract for the remainder of 2013 and said it wouldn't offer him a 2014 contract after a series of high-profile off-field problems.

RugbyWA chief executive Mark Sinderberry says "We have been informed by James directly that he intends to continue his playing career in Europe for the time being.''

-AP