David Gérard heads to be a Saint

David Gérard, the Toulouse lock is off to play in Northampton in the place of injured James Percival.

On Wednesday he signed a two-year contract with the Saints.

Toulon born, he joined Toulouse in 2001 and was in the team which won the French Championship in 2001 and twice when the club won the Heineken Cup - in 2003 and 2005.

Gérard, who has played for France and France A, stands 1,99m tall and weighs just over 120kg. He turns 28 on 26 November.

Gérard will take the place of James Percival who suffered a neck fracture in a pre-season match and will be out for the season.

Director of rugby Budge Pountney said: "David Gérard is in the same mould of lock as Olivier Brouzet. He is a traditional big, strong second row who has played at the highest level. David is exactly what we need to strengthen our second row department following the loss of James Percival."