Toulon target Claassens

Toulon, who have already qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with their Round 6 match at Montepllier in hand, recently saw their patient pursuit of Bryan Habana pay off with the Springboks' leading try scorer joining the Top 14 pacesetters for next season.

And now Bath head coach Gary Gold has confirmed that scrum half Claassens has entered talks with Toulon over a potential summer move.

The South Africa international, 30, is out of contract at the end of the season and reports have linked him with a move to France.

"He's been open and honest with us and he is in talks," said Gold.

"I'm sure Michael will tell us as soon as anything can be confirmed."

Claassens has been at The Recreation Ground since 2007, having previously played for the Cheetahs in his homeland, and has made 117 Premiership appearances.

Meanwhile, Gold has said he is already looking at potential signings for the summer.

"Since January we've been allowed to go out and have a look. We've known who is on the market for a while," added Gold.

"We've got a few irons in the fire and some potentially exciting prospects coming through."