Gloucester rugby club is cock-a-hoop about new signing Henry Paul particularly as they beat English champions Leicester to his signature.

Cherry and Whites coach Philippe Saint-Andre told the club's official website that it was pleasing Paul opted to play for a club that has yet to realise its potential.

And he backed his latest recruit, due at the club when his commitments with the Bradford Bulls end, to make as big an impact as Jason Robinson who joined Sale in a similar RFU funded deal last season.

"It is good for Gloucester we can compete with the biggest clubs. He is one of the top players and wants to win and he wants success," he said.

"But if he joined Leicester, who are Premiership Champions and European Champions, he cannot improve on that - the only way he can go is down. At Gloucester we have shown we can improve and he wants to come to a club that has yet to reach its potential.

"I know this is going to be a new challenge for him, but he has massive, massive potential. The deal was done by Tom Walkinshaw and I think he will be great for the club and I hope he can improve in union like Jason Robinson has. I don't want to put too much pressure on him because he will have to learn with us, but he is the match-winner we need."

Assistant coach Andy Keast added: "I think it says it all about Gloucester's ambition this season - not only about making an impact in the Premiership, but if we qualify in Europe next season.

"He will have a real impact. He can act as the springboard for the backs and add an extra dimension to Gloucester's play. He will bring with him big, big experience as an international."

Paul joins Italian full back Christian Stoica, another of Gloucester's off-season signings, but not Australian world cup winner Jason Little, the club's last major signing, who failed to settle and moved to Bristol.

But the club believe the signing of Paul eclipses that of Little and although there's an understanding that he will take some time to settle into the 15-man game there is plenty of confidence that his professionalism will make him a key player for both Gloucester and England.

Paul's £200,000-a-year contract will be partly funded by the English RFU, a deal that, like Robinsons' was forged with the expectation that he will pull on the white shirt of England before long.

It could also spark further league raids as the RFU look to spend their wealth on bringing together the best side possible for a tilt at the world crown in 2003.