Leicester’s World Cup winner Jasper Wiese in advanced talks to join Stade Francais as French rugby continues its assault on the Gallagher Premiership
- Wiese, 28, could become the latest to swap the league for TOP14 in France
- Negotiations between the South African star and Stade Francais are well advanced
French rugby’s assault on the Gallagher Premiership shows no signs of ending, with Leicester’s World Cup winner Jasper Wiese the latest to win admirers across the Channel.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has already seen internationals Jack Willis, Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds, Henry Arundell, David Ribbans and Joe Marchant move into the TOP14.
And strikers Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam will also leave their homeland as they both line up for Toulon for the start of next season.
But it is not just English players in the Premier League who are being seduced by the riches that France has to offer.
Leicester’s hard-hit South African number 8 Wiese is in talks to join Stade Francais.
South African star Jasper Wiese is on his way to France as he continues talks with Stade Francais
Wiese is a key member of the Leicester squad but looks set to become the latest to move to France
The 28-year-old was part of the Springboks squad that reached back-to-back World Cups in France this month.
Although Wiese disappeared from his country’s starting line-up towards the end of the tournament, he is still a huge figure for Leicester, having helped them to the title in 2022. Leicester will be hoping they can still keep hold of the mighty Wiese and make a move. to Stade – where he would team up with England center Marchant – is not yet guaranteed as negotiations are still ongoing.
Although the Premier League salary cap (the amount each team can spend on its player selection) will rise to £6.4 million for the 2024-2025 season, there is still more money available for the best players in France.
Wiese is said to be in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Stade.
Leicester chief executive Andrea Pinchen has made it clear she is convinced the salary cap should remain at its current level of £5 million as England’s rugby elite continues to face financial problems. That said, new Tigers head coach Dan McKellar will want to retain Wiese if possible after taking charge of the club at the start of this season.
McKellar has won just one of four Premiership games in his first season, while Leicester sit second in the league. Only winless Newcastle are below them.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane has been suspended for three matches following the red card he received in the World Cup final against South Africa earlier this month.
Cane was initially booked, which was upgraded to a sending-off by the bunker review system for a high and dangerous tackle on Springbok center Jesse Kriel.
Without their skipper Cane, the All Blacks were beaten 12-11. Cane’s suspension means a delayed start to his period with Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath.