Change of heart lands Maestri at Stade Francais

Paris - France lock Yoann Maestri has pulled out of a deal to join La Rochelle from Toulouse in favour of joining Top 14 rivals Stade Francais, French media reported on Monday.

The giant 30-year-old is thought to have had a change of heart, after agreeing the deal last November, when La Rochelle's iconic coach Patrice Collazo quit unexpectedly after seven years in the job.

Paris-based Stade Francais, under the new ownership of Swiss magnate Hans-Peter Wild, payed La Rochelle €700 000 for Maestri's transfer.

The 6-foot-7 Maestri has played 59 times for France, won the French title twice with Toulouse and also the European Cup in 2010.