Saracens close in on France star Magne
Olivier Magne could become the latest French star to join the ever-growing list of players heading to Saracens next season.
The flanker, who will play for France against England in Paris on Saturday, was offered to London Wasps last season, but the Zurich Premiership champions were convinced they were being exploited to increase his earnings at Montferrand.
Remaining in France is still a strong possibility for one of the world's top flankers, but Sarries believe they have a good chance of convincing Magne to join their star-studded squad. Philippe Sella, Abdel Benazzi, Alain Penaud and Thierry Lacroix have previously played for the club, who already have former French captain Raphael Ibanez and Thomas Castaignede in their squad.
Castaignede hopes Magne will be won over by the Sarries offer and told Standard Sport: "Everyone saw when France beat Scotland - with Olivier scoring a great try - what he can do on the pitch. I have no doubt that the English championship would suit the way that Olivier plays."
Meanwhile, Magne and the French team management are portraying England as a "war machine" in the build-up to the Paris clash, the final match of the Six Nations championship.
France's team manager Jo Maso remains mindful of the World Cup semi-final defeat that England inflicted on France in Sydney.
He said: "I don't think we can say they are weaker than in Sydney. Even though they've lost two key players in Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson they remain a war machine."
