Melville is also tracking Argentinian outside-half Juan-Martin Hernandez who is trying to sort out his passport situation before signing for Gloucester.

“This week I will be going to France to meet Raphael Ibanez, but this is an extremely difficult time of the year and the financial situation makes it difficult,” Melville told the Gloucester Citizen.

“The priority is to make sure we are covered during the World Cup and that means I have to bring in some new players.”

Melville will wait for Hernandez, whose aim is not to be regarded as a non-European Union player, to sort out his passport before making his move.

“We are at the exact same stage with Juan – we are waiting on his passport situation.

“These things take time but it is a bit closer than it was. He would like to come to Gloucester.”