As if Wasps did not have problems enough simply landing in the same Heineken Cup pool as Toulouse, they have learned that the European champions had added to their firepower by signing Rupeni Caucaunibuca, better known as Caucau, once one of rugby's great talents.

Caucau will not be in the team when Wasps play in Toulouse, but could be when the four-times champions from France meet the twice-champions in the final pool round at High Wycombe in January. According to Jean-Michel Rancoule, in charge of recruitment at Toulouse, "verbal agreement" has been reached for the 30-year-old Fijian to become a medical replacement for Yann David, the centre who has broken his leg.

In 2003 Caucau lit up the World Cup, almost beating Scotland single-handed. New Zealand immediately tried to arrange a switch in nationality only to be rebuffed by the international board and Caucau finished up in France, playing for Agen.

However, theirs was rarely a perfect relationship. Weight became a problem even though Caucau plus a couple of extra stone was still too quick for Gloucester. There have been bans and arguments and a series of remarkable excuses for missing pre-season. Agen finally lost patience in September when he returned a month late from visiting his family, saying he had been receiving treatment from a natural healer.

Biarritz and Castres showed interest, but are thought to have been put off by the €150,000 (£131,000) transfer demanded by Agen. Then today, as Wasps were flying south, Toulouse announced a move that was apparently facilitated by their Fijian wing Vilimoni Delasau and a more conciliatory price.

Gwent police are continuing to investigate the incident in last Saturday's game at Cross Keys that cost Llanelli's Gavin Quinnell the sight of his left eye. The 26-year-old is the brother of the former Wales players Scott and Craig and the son of the former Wales and Lions No8 Derek.