Saints likely to lose out as Brouzet heads home

Olivier Brouzet, North-ampton's French international lock, is set to sign a two-year contract with the French side Montferrand. "He has agreed to join us and he should sign this week," a Montferrand spokes-man said.

Brouzet, who has spent two seasons in England with the Zurich Premiership side, also attracted interest from Toulouse before deciding on a switch to a Montferrand team still reeling from the recent departure of the South African Selborne Boome.

Brouzet is one of the longest-serving current French internationals with 54 caps to his name since making his Test debut against Scotland in 1994.

After missing last year's Six Nations tournament in which Bernard Laporte's men took only fifth spot, Brouzet made a huge contribution to his country's successful autumn campaign against South Africa and Australia. He was also one of the key elements in France's Six Nations Grand Slam.

The Italy team manager, Marco Bollesan, has revealed that Azzurri captain Alessandro Moscardi will not be selected for the one-off Test with New Zealand on 8 June.

Moscardi, 33, will be left out of the squad, which is set to be named at a press conference today, to allow younger players to stake a claim for a place in next season's Six Nations.

Bollesan said yesterday: "We know the players who will be going to New Zealand but I can confirm that Moscardi won't be one of them due to his age."

Italy have appointed Leicester Routledge as their new offensive coach. He will take up his post on 21 May with the squad expected to depart for New Zealand three days later.

The Canada coach, David Clark, has named four new caps for the tour of Australia later this month. The Maple Leafs will play New South Wales Country and Sydney before taking on Australia A in Paramatta on 1 June.

Capilano back-row forward Mike Andrews, locks Jamie Cudmore and Josh Jackson from Squamish and Castaway-Wanderers respectively and Pacific Pride prop Chad Plater have all been called into the national squad for the first time.

Clark explained his hand was forced by the unavailability of some of Canada's leading stars after punishing domestic seasons in Europe, but has no qualms about blooding the youngsters.