FRANCE CENTRE MAXIME Mermoz has joined Leicester from Toulon until the end of the season, the English Premiership club announced today.
Mermoz, 30, will give Leicester an extra option at centre after they lost Manu Tuilagi and Matt Toomua to long-term injuries.
Capped 35 times by France, Mermoz won French Top 14 titles with Toulouse, Perpignan and Toulon and played a role in the latter’s European Cup triumphs in 2013 and 2014.
“We are missing two big players in our midfield and we’re very happy to be able to bring in a player of Maxime’s style, quality and experience there,” said Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger.
“He has played at the highest level in France, in Europe and internationally and we look forward to bringing him into the squad.”
Meanwhile, French centre Yann David’s hopes of playing his first international in seven years were shattered today when he was ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations clash against England with a thigh injury.
The 28-year-old Toulouse player, who won the last of his four caps against New Zealand in 2009, will also miss the game against Scotland on 12 February, the French team announced.
France have yet to decide if they will call-up a replacement.
Subscribe to The42 Rugby Show podcast here:
