GLOUCESTER have emerged as surprise suitors for Italian skipper Sergio Parisse with Stade Francais struggling to stay in business.
The Paris giants could be forced into liquidation and relegation to the Pro D2 if they cannot find a buyer before the end of the season.
The Cherry and Whites who are waiting for South African Johan Ackermann to confirm that he is ditching the Lions for Kingsholm are interested in Parisse.
Blindside understands that the club are willing to throw some big money at a No 8 and Parisse is a player they are very much interested in.
Another on their wanted list if Parisse moves elsewhere is Grenoble’s former New Zealand sevens star Rory Grice, above. Grice, 26, has spent the last three years in France after starting his career at Waikato but Grenoble are facing relegation at the end of the season.
The deal could be complicated after Grice was one of five players from the club who were detained after a rape complaint was made against the group.
Grice is no stranger to controversy in France. He was banned for nine weeks last year after throwing his mouthguard at a referee.
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