Ian McGeechan arrives at Gloucester to link up with coach Redpath

McGeechan will link up with former Scotland captain and current Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath at Kingsholm.

Gloucester are currently ninth in the Guinness Premiership, but they are through to this season's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter- finals – against McGeechan's former club Wasps – and LV Cup semi-finals.

McGeechan, who was knighted in the recent New Year Honours, was head coach of the Lions on four tours, including last summer's trip to South Africa when the Springboks won a pulsating Test series 2-1.

He has also coached Scotland, in addition to holding rugby director roles at Wasps and Northampton, and says he is genuinely excited about the prospect of working in club rugby again.

"It's a terrific challenge," he said. "Gloucester as a club really do have so much potential. I think, as is shown by recent results, that things are certainly moving in the right direction under Bryan and the rest of the coaching staff.

"It's a great club, a real rugby club with a great stadium and tremendously loyal supporters. My job now is to work with Bryan with the aim of helping Gloucester take the next step and realise their massive potential.

"I'm very excited to be involved. I've already been around the training ground and met everyone, and can't wait to get started."

Redpath, whose team host Harlequins in the Premiership on Saturday, added: "I've known Geech for many years now, and his record speaks for itself.

"In this game, you can't afford to stand still, you need to keep looking for ways to improve things. He is unique in the game of rugby union, and the opportunity to work with him and benefit from his knowledge and experience is fantastic."

Meanwhile, England winger Paul Sackey is set for a move to France after confirming he will leave Wasps at the end of the current season.

Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks revealed the club could not compete financially with the offers Sackey has received from the French Top 14. The 30-year-old, who won the last of his 22 England caps against Ireland in the 2009 RBS Six Nations, is yet to confirm his exact destination next season.

"Paul leaving the club is obviously a disappointment," said Hanks. "In terms of his departure he has received offers from France that we simply cannot compete with.

"This is a situation that currently exists in professional club rugby. It is disappointing to lose a player of Paul's ability and standing within the team, but considering his own career ambitions to play for only two or three more seasons, then it is hard to argue with his decision. He is securing his financial future."

Sackey helped Wasps win two Guinness Premiership titles, the Heineken Cup and the Powergen Cup after moving back to the club from London Irish in 2005.

"This was the hardest decision I've had to make because my heart is in Wasps and I will always support the club. I have spent some great years here and my heart is here, but I feel the opportunities put in front of me were just too good to ignore," said Sackey.

Wasps lost James Haskell, Tom Palmer and Riki Flutey to the French league last summer.

Sackey's departure will spark renewed speculation over the future of Danny Cipriani, who is also out of contract at the end of this season.

The two are known to be close friends. Cipriani has held discussions over a potential ground-breaking move to the new Super 15 franchise, Melbourne Rebels.

Cipriani has also been engaged in talks with Wasps. Hanks said the club would have more solid information "in the near future".

"As a club we are focused on re-signings and new recruitment," said Hanks.

"We will look to outline the players that will be involved next season in the near future."