Leicester hopeful Jasper Wiese will commit his future to club with South Africa World Cup winner set to snub move to French club Stade Francais

Leicester are hopeful their South Africa World Cup winner Jasper Wiese will stay with the Tigers despite the powerhouse No 8 previously being in advanced talks about a move to France.

Wiese was part of the Springbok squad which secured global glory last month. He has been a key figure for Leicester since joining in 2020, helping them to the Premiership title in 2022.

The 28-year-old’s form both in English club rugby and at Test level saw him catch the attention of Stade Francais with whom Wiese was in negotiations.

A move to the Top 14 looked likely earlier this month, but MailSport understands Leicester believe they now have a good chance of retaining one of their best players as there is a feeling in Wiese’s camp now might not be the right time to move to France.

Leicester head coach Dan McKellar said: ‘We are in conversations with him (Wiese) and his agent.

‘He loves the Tigers, he has got a young family now, and is very settled. We are hoping we keep him here for the next few years. When you have got someone in your camp and they are enjoying the environment and the players they are playing with, you give yourself a chance of keeping them.

‘I don’t know how many euros he is being offered elsewhere. He is a valuable player and teams from France and Japan are always going to come knocking for world-class players.

‘We just hope the environment and being at the club he’s loved being involved in for the last few years will help keep him.’

Should Wiese decide to stay at Leicester, he would buck the trend of players opting not to move to the TOP14 after receiving Gallic interest. It would also be a big boost for Leicester after a slow start to McKellar’s first season in charge although the side has won their last two Premiership games against Northampton and Gloucester.

England stars Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, Jack Nowell, David Ribbans, Joe Marchant and Sam Simmonds have all moved to French rugby’s highest division.

The TOP14 and French rugby on the whole is thriving, with players able to earn far more in Europe than they would in England.

Wiese’s South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has also made a big-money move to France where he is now a team-mate of England tyro Arundell at Racing 92.

Arundell moved to Racing after the demise of his former side London Irish and kept up his fine form for his new side by scoring another try in a 32-10 win over La Rochelle on Sunday night.

The victory put Racing – now coached by former England boss Stuart Lancaster – top of the TOP14.