Back to France.

Argentina and the Jaguares have been dealt a massive blow with Stade Francais revealing outhalf Nicolas Sanchez will be joining them next season. Argentina have a selection policy that forbids the national side from calling up players that don’t play for the Jaguares.

Sanchez is arguably their best player, and unless they adjust their policy – will be unable to select him from next season on. Sanchez has played with the Jaguares since their inception and the creation of the rule. Previously he had stints with Bordeaux and Toulon.

Stade just about avoided relegation this season but have revealed ambitions plans under Swiss billionaire Hans-Peter Wild who said last month he wanted the team to win the French title in the next “three or four years”.

The French side also revealed the signing France international lock Yoann Maestri this afternoon after agreeing to pay La Rochelle 700,000 euros in compensation.

The 30-year-old Maestri, who has been capped 59 times by France, was originally going to join La Rochelle from Toulouse, but had a change of heart after coach Patrice Collazo unexpectedly left the club last week.

Stade also recently appointed former Springboks boss Heyneke Meyer as their new head coach.