In a significant development in the world of rugby, Perpignan has officially announced the acquisition of Marco Riccioni, the Italian international tighthead prop, from Saracens. This move comes as part of a three-year contract that will commence once Riccioni's current arrangement with the former Premiership champions concludes this summer.
At 28 years old, Riccioni has made an impressive 68 appearances for Saracens since transitioning from Benetton five years ago. His talent and skills have garnered attention from various clubs across the English Channel, all eager to secure his services. Notably, Lyon and La Rochelle had engaged in discussions with him, but recent reports from L’Équipe confirm that he has chosen to join the ranks of the Blood and Gold, where he will team up once again with fellow Italian player Pietro Ceccarelli.
Riccioni will face competition at Perpignan from Kieran Brookes, a seasoned tighthead who has played for Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, and Wasps, and was also part of Stuart Lancaster’s squad during the 2015 World Cup. This rivalry is set to unfold at Aimé-Giral Stadium as Riccioni joins a team currently positioned 13th in the Top 14 standings and fighting to avoid relegation to Pro D2. They have a challenging match ahead this weekend against Pau, which could prove pivotal in their battle for survival.
The club is undergoing a substantial overhaul, planning to part ways with several key players including Max Hicks, Jordan Petaia, Hugo Reus, and Alivereti Duguivalu, alongside tightheads Nemo Roelofse and Akato Fakatika. This strategic reshuffling is one reason behind the recruitment of Riccioni, who has already made 14 appearances this season, ensuring a contract that will extend through the summer of 2029.
On the other hand, Saracens are actively strengthening their roster with the signings of notable players such as Tomas Williams, the Welsh and Lions star, and England international George Martin. However, they are also experiencing departures, with Tom Willis, Alex Lozowski, Harry Wilson, and Branden Jackson leaving the club.
Earlier this season, Riccioni stirred up quite a buzz on social media after receiving a yellow card during a match against rivals Northampton Saints, where he provocatively pointed to the number of stars adorning the club’s badge—a bold gesture that caught the attention of fans and commentators alike. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 126 kg, Riccioni boasts 36 caps for Italy but unfortunately will not be participating in the upcoming Guinness Six Nations due to an injury sustained during Saracens' recent Champions Cup match against Glasgow Warriors.
