British and Irish Lions

Northampton star Carlos Spencer has dismissed reports linking him with a move to French club Agen - and committed himself to Saints' Guinness Premiership relegation battle.

Spencer travels with his team-mates to league leaders Leicester on Saturday, knowing they could be overhauled by bottom club Worcester, who are just three points adrift.

But former All Blacks fly-half Spencer has moved to pledge his future at Franklin's Gardens by serving out the remaining year of his contract.

Spencer said: "I would like to say again that I have not been to Agen and that I am spending my future with Northampton.

"That's all I have to say on the matter, as I am more than happy to spend my last season with the Saints. I have loved my time here.

"The rugby is not going great at the moment, but I am remaining positive. Although we are in a hole, we believe we can get ourselves out of it.

"We have got to keep fighting on. The guys are trying hard, and it is frustrating because the results are not going our way.

"We are just lacking a bit of confidence. But we have got another eight games to go, and our focus is now on Leicester."

Northampton will tackle a Leicester side weakened by RBS 6 Nation Championship calls, but an emphatic home defeat against Harlequins last weekend suggests they are short on confidence in the quest to preserve their Premiership status.

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.