Joseph Manu and Nathan Hughes join Racing 92

Ex-Toyota Verblitz wing Joseph Manu and former Black Rams Tokyo number eight Nathan Hughes have both joined France's Top 14 giants Racing 92.

The big-spending Paris side announced the arrival of 10 new signings on Tuesday as they bid to become a major force again in Europe after a disappointing 10th-place finish last season.

Former New Zealand rugby international Manu, 29, scored 11 tries in 18 appearances for Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s Toyota side in his first professional season in rugby union.

Racing declined to comment in April when asked by RugbyJP about rumours of Manu’s imminent arrival.  

Picture courtesy of JRLO

Manu left Toyota in May after fulfilling his one-year deal with club who he featured for in every game last term and turned down Super Rugby offers as well as an NRL return.

Former England international Hughes, 34, who finished the season on loan at Urayasu D-Rocks, was a free agent after leaving the Black Rams and, like his new teammate Manu, has also inked a two-year deal in France.  

Picture courtesy of JRLO

Well-travelled Hughes will be reunited with ex-international colleague Jonathan Hill who joins from Sale Sharks while Wallabies star Taniela Tupou arrives from the Waratahs.

Fiji internationals, lock Lekima Tagitagivalu and wing Selestino Ravutaumada, have departed Pau and Fijiuan Drua respectively to join the rebuild project in Nanterre in the western suburbs of the French capital.

Argentina’s utility-back Gerónimo Prisciantelli joins from Zebre Parma while French wing Wilfried Hulleu and his former Grenoble teammate Thomas Lainault make the jump from Pro D2 outfit Grenoble.

Brive’s young scrum-half Léo Carbonneau completes the bold recruitment drive.

The club has also bolstered their coaching ranks with the appointment of ex-France hooker Olivier Azam as their new forwards coach.

Racing head coach Patrice Collazo said: "This sporting project is long-term, with clear foundations: rigor, total commitment, and a deep attachment to the jersey. We have chosen to build a dense squad, with players driven by an impeccable mentality and a great ability to serve the team.

“Training is at the heart of our daily work. Integrating young players from the training center and helping them grow alongside experienced players is a powerful lever for building a solid, ambitious squad that is faithful to the soul of the club. We know where we come from, we know where we want to go, and we will do everything we can to get there together."