Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll is set to line up alongside Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen when the Barbarians play South Africa in Cardiff on December 10th. The 21-year-old Leinster centre, who scored three tries during Ireland's stunning Six Nations victory over France last season, has accepted an invitation to line out against the Springboks.

O'Driscoll, his fellow Irish international Malcolm O'Kelly and Wales' world record Test match points scorer Neil Jenkins were yesterday confirmed as latest Barbarians recruits for the Millennium Stadium game.

All Blacks Lomu and Cullen have already confirmed their presence, together with fellow southern hemisphere big names Matt Burke, Daniel Herbert, Carlos Spencer, Byron Kelleher, David Giffin, Craig Dowd, Richard Harry and Norm Maxwell.

Centre Mark Taylor, firm favourite to captain Wales during next month's Tests against Samoa, the United States and South Africa, has also declared his availability.

The Springboks' end-of-tour finale will complete a taxing European trip that also includes appointments with Ireland and England.

French club Castres have been docked two points for fielding New Zealander Norm Berryman against Bath in the European Cup on October 7th. The ERC ruled last night that Berryman was not eligible and this decision effectively makes Group Four a three-horse race between Munster, Bath and Newport.

The ERC also reaffirmed their stance preventing Wales prop Peter Rogers from playing in this season's tournament. Cardiff had hoped to field their signing from Newport in Saturday's Pool Three clash at group leaders Saracens but ERC have again told the Arms Park club he is not eligible.

Last night's developments spelt bad news, too, for Saracens' Australian recruit Tim Horan, who was incorrectly registered by his club with the English RFU, apparently rendering his European Cup documentation invalid. Although Horan's registration has now been correctly lodged by Saracens, who admitted to their earlier mistake, ERC are maintaining a tough-line stance.