YORK Wasps have added a touch of Gallic flair to their back line for the forthcoming season with the signing of highly-rated centre Michael Cousseau.

After weeks of speculation about a French connection at Wasps, the 22-year-old Nantes-born player becomes the first of possibly three players from France to join the Huntington Stadium outfit.

And news of two more players who could join the 'French Foreign Legion' at Wasps is expected in the next three weeks.

Cousseau, who is seen as a future international star, has been playing his rugby league for French Elite One championship outfit Limoux, appearing for them in last season's National Cup final.

But Cousseau, who speaks English, has now decided to try his luck in the blood-and-thunder environment of the RL Premiership.

Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey said: "The French rate Michael as a future international.

"It is well-known we have got a French scout and he came up with Michael about a week ago.

"We haven't seen him, so we are reliant on our scout and he does know a great deal about rugby league.

"We've spoken to Leo (Epifania, Wasps' new coach) with regards to him - as has our scout - and he is happy for him to join."

Cousseau, who confirmed his intentions to play for Wasps this season on Tuesday morning, is expected in the country on November 12 and he could well be followed across the Channel by two fellow French stars.

Wasps are on the verge of capturing the signatures of the current internationals, with the players to give their final decisions when they return from France's trip to South Africa.

Garvey added: "Both have agreed with the club to give us a decision on their return, which should be in about two weeks.

"I'm reasonably confident they will join, although I'm not 100 per cent as the clubs don't want them to leave, so we are fighting to get them to agree."

Updated: 09:10 Wednesday, October 31, 2001