Portuguese duo to bolster Auch

Portuguese internationals David Penalva and Christian Spachuck are set to join bottom-placed French championship club Auch next season from Second Division tailenders Blagnac, it was revealed on Monday.

Both 28-year-old Penalva and Spachuck, 27, played in all four of Portugal's matches at the World Cup last year in which the Portuguese were far from disgraced in their debut at the tournament.

"Neither player has signed as we are not yet into that particular period. However, they have both agreed to join us," a statement from Auch said.

Penalva, a lock, has been at Blagnac since 2006 after spells at Bayonne, Biarritz (as a junior and an Under-21 player), Tours and Poitiers while prop Spachuck has been at Blagnac since the beginning of the season having signed from Portuguese outfit Belenense.

Auch look certain to be relegated from the elite division as they presently are last with just nine points from 12 matches and are six points adrift of second from bottom Dax - who occupy the spot where they would enter into a play-off with a Second Division side to preserve their status.

Blagnac for their part are bottom of their division with 18 points from 18 matches, seven points adrift of definitely staying up.

Sapa