Nick Mallett revealed he turned down a host of coaching offers before accepting the reins at Stade Francais - all because he loves the French way of life.

The former South Africa manager has accepted a two-year contact at the Stade Jean Bouin club and will take over from current coach John Connolly at the end of the season.

After spending almost a decade in France with Saint-Claude and Boulogne-Billancourt between 1985 and 1994, Mallett knew a return to Gallic shores was likely.

Across the channel, London Irish make their now traditional en bloc front-row switch, calling up Michael Worsley, Naka Drotske and Simon Halford for the clash against Sale at Heywood Roadtoday.