British and Irish Lions

The 34-year-old second row, who has 51 caps to his name, had been expected to line up for the Sharks when they face the Lions in June next year but he could be about to move to England instead.

Having made his Springbok debut in 1999, van den Berg played in that year's World Cup before experiencing a three-year absence from international rugby from 2000.

He replaced Victor Matfield in the 2004 Tri Nations squad and went on to feature in the same competition in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The 6ft 7in former Cats player was part of last year's victorious World Cup campaign but was not included in the South Africa squad for this year's Tri Nations.

Northampton, who began their Premiership campaign with a 23-13 win over Worcester Warriors at Franklin's Gardens, are thought to have finances available after the attempted signing of prop Petru Balan from Biarritz failing to materialise.

Having become only the ninth Welshman to pick up a Heineken Cup winners medal, Gethin Jenkins is now getting ready for his next challenge - holding on to his British & Irish Lions Test spot.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.