Cohen aims to relaunch career in France with Brive

The 29-year-old England wing, out of action since the Saints' relegation from the Premiership seven months ago, had planned to sign for Leicester only for the deal to collapse amid complications over the testimonial granted him by Northampton.

After rejecting an approach from Wigan to cross codes, Cohen then opened talks aimed at following another England World Cup winner from Franklin's Gardens.

Hooker Steve Thompson made a surprise comeback for Brive earlier this month despite having retired last season due to a neck injury.

'I have sorted out a club,' Cohen said yesterday after training with the Barbarians for tomorrow's clash against South Africa at Twickenham.

'Nothing is signed or sealed but it's just a question of dotting the i's and crossing the t's. I hope to be playing in the next few weeks.'

Cohen, out of international rugby for 12 months, refuses to give up on England despite the emergence of David Strettle and Paul Sackey as outstanding Test wings.

'I don't think you can ever retire internationally,' Cohen said. 'You've always got to strive to play for your country, and if I'm playing well then, hopefully, they will come and have a look at me. I've only just turned 29 and I've still got another four or five years at the top. I also feel I still have a lot to give. I'm enjoying life but now it's time to get back to work.'

Another forgottenTest player has moved from one country to another. Brent Cockbain, an ever-present in Wales' Grand Slam team of two years ago, has signed for Sale after being released by the Swansea-based Ospreys and will join next week after lining up tomorrow in a Barbarians team assembled by former Lions prop Mike Burton.

Sale's immediate task is a tall order, beating Leicester at Welford Road tonight with a try bonus point to boot if they are to reach the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup.

Mark Cueto appears at full back and Magnus Lund returns to the back row to face a Leicester team all the stronger for Martin Corry's return as captain. The home side know a win will earn them a second successive semi-final at the Millennium Stadium in March.

Jonny Wilkinson makes his first post-World Cup appearance tomorrow for Newcastle in their Anglo-Welsh clash against Wasps at Adams Park.

The winner-takes-all tie puts him in direct conflict with the youngest challenger to his fly half throne, Danny Cipriani.

A damaging proposal to reduce the number of finalists at the 2011 World Cup to 16 has been scrapped.

The International Board will today strike a blow for common sense by confirming that 20 countries will take part, a worthy reward for the fighting contributions of the smaller nations towards the thumping success of this year's tournament in France.