POCKLINGTON RUFC are poised to add a dose of Gallic flair to their squad for the new season.

The Percy Road club's 25-strong party spent the weekend training at Doncaster RUFC, with three French trialists among their number.

Thomas Jimenez, Stephan Hellies and Rudy Louriac were among around two dozen players from France who expressed an interest in coming to Pock for a season, but only the trio were handed a chance to impress.

Front row forward Jimenez, 23, has played for Bedarieu, utility back Hellies, 23, has been at Istries and Louriac, 26, has played his rugby in the centres or at full-back for Cavallion.

Pocklington are now hoping to tie up deals for the three when boss Tim Clappison heads across to Beziers in the next few weeks.

Clappison said: "The club has developed a number of contacts and links with France in the last few years, with a couple of Pock lads playing there for a season, the club touring regularly to south west France and a group of us flying over to watch European matches two or three times a season.

"We made enquiries to see if anyone fancied a season at Pock and were amazed with the response. "Several e-mails later, the result was Thomas, Stephan and Rudy coming over for the weekend.

"We need now to see where both sides are, and whether we can sort out for one or more of them to come back and play."

The trio spent a whirlwind four days with Pock, including two days training, a trip to watch Londesborough Park CC and plenty of socialising.

Hellies was set to look at a couple of other clubs in Yorkshire before making a decision, but beefy prop Jimenez has made a big impression both on and off the pitch and, along with Louriac, is keen to return.

Updated: 10:30 Saturday, August 03, 2002