Richmond eye England's Catt and Clarke

Rugby Union

Rugby Union

Richmond, the Courage Second Division club, are planning a major signings coup, with the England internationals Mike Catt and Ben Clarke top of their list.

The Richmond rugby director, Vinny Codrington, said: "We have been speaking to Mike and Ben, but the discussions are not concluded. However, we intend making a big hit presentation on 7 May."

The date is significant as players' contracts will be officially activated the day before, following the ending of the Rugby Football Union's moratorium on player payments.

Leicester, still with an outside chance of a league and cup double, will be without two key players for tonight's Courage League game with Gloucester at Welford Road. Flanker Neil Back and scrum-half Aadel Kardooni both miss the penultimate game of the season.

Kardooni is ruled out with a hamstring strain and Back is rested. Jamie Hamilton replaces Kardooni and Bill Drake-Lee takes over from Back.