Rugby, Australian Football: Salford snap up stars from France

French-based stars Djamel Fakir and Duncan MacGillivray have agreed to join Super League strugglers Salford City Reds when their season ends next month.

Fakir, aged 21, is a French international forward and plays for UTC who are joining Super League in 2006.

Australian MacGillivray plays for Carcassonne who meet UTC in the two-legged French semi-finals over the next fortnight.

Steve Simms, the Salford boss, said: "We have been to France and been impressed by both players. If they avoid injuries we hope they will be over after the French Grand Final on July 10."

The duo look set to make the debuts in the vital relegation clash at Widnes on July 18.