Italian international Marco Riccioni wanted by two Top 14 giants

Saracens are fighting to thwart a second raid from Top 14 outfit La Rochelle, who have now got Italian international Marco Riccioni in their sights when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

RugbyPass revealed last month that Sarries’ 6’6 Samoan international flanker/lock, Theo McFarland, had held a meeting with Ronan O’Gara’s side for a switch to the seaport on the Bay of Biscay this summer.

Les Maritimes, who are yet to announce any new signings for next season, are now set to return to the North London side, and this time they have got 28-year-old Riccioni in their sights.

But the deal is far from done, with Toulon also interested in signing the 28-year-old who has become a mainstay of the Saracens front row in the 67 games he has played since joining from Benetton five years ago.

Both clubs are pushing the former Calvisano player for an answer and would like to know before the start of the Six Nations next month, so they can move on to other targets if they are unsuccessful.

Riccioni signed a contract extension with Sarries last May and is now weighing up his options. He hit the headlines earlier this season after pointing to the three stars on his Saracens shirt after being sin-binned against Northampton Saints.

Saracens, who have already landed George Martin and Tomas Williams for next season, appear to be preparing for life without Riccioni after putting a tighthead on their shopping list for next season.

They are also locked in talks with Wales international Rhys Carre, 27, to extend his second stay at the club after a move to rebel competition R360 fell through, and could add a loosehead to the list if he decides to move on.