By Jason Harris
May 16 2002

French international flanker Olivier Magne has ended speculation that he was coming to play in the Zurich Premiership with, amongst those touted as possible new clubs, Saracens. Reported on Thursday in Midi-Olympique, the deal will see him stay at AS Montferrand until 2005 when he will be 32 years old. Sarries, Bath and Leicester were reported to be in the hunt but they will all now have to look elsewhere to bolster their back rows.

Magne apparently made the decision to stay with his French club a fortnight ago, but announced it today. He is reportedly happy to stay due to the professional preparation methods used by the squad and improved financial terms.

Also, in an apparent last-minute turn-around, New Zealand born French international centre Tony Marsh has stayed with AS Montferrand, despite a move to former Saracens Thierry Lacroix's Perpignan. It was said that contract negotiations with the Catalans were at an advanced stage, but ASM came in with an eleventh-hour counter-offer that appeared to be to the Kiwi's liking.