British and Irish Lions

The 1997, 2005 and 2009 Lion will become the oldest player in the Top 14 next term after adding an extra year to his deal on the Cote D'Azur.

Shaw joined Jonny Wilkinson and co at the Stade Felix Mayol after the 2011 World Cup when he ended 14 seasons of association with London Wasps.

The 38-year-old former Bristol second row, who was the only player to earn selection for each of the last two Lions adventures to South Africa, will remain with Toulon until June 2013.

Shaw won't be involved in Friday night's Amlin Challenge Cup Final against Biarritz at The Stoop as he wasn't registered for European competition but he is expected to play a key role in his club's quest for the Top 14 title a week later.

Toulon host Racing Metro in the play-offs after finishing third in the regular season table meaning Shaw could add a French Championship crown to the Heineken Cup, English Premiership and Anglo-Welsh titles he won with Wasps.

Shaw will be joined by fellow Lion Gethin Jenkins at Toulon this summer, while 2013 Lions hopeful Steffon Armitage is already on the books with Bernard Laporte's men and brother Delon and London Irish lock Nick Kennedy are also joining them next season.

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.