Clermont Auvergne, Stade Toulousain and Toulon are all reportedly interested in signing the Welsh international after a weekend outburst alerted clubs to a possible swoop.

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The Western Mail even claimed that Hook had been Toulon’s preferred choice at fly-half ahead of Jonny Wilkinson, although that seems somewhat wide of the mark given that the latter’s signing was at the instigation of club owner Mourad Boudjellal – not head coach Philippe Saint-André, as the paper suggested.

The emergence of Dan Biggar at the Ospreys is putting Hook, 24, under pressure to perform, with the possibility that he might now be switched to the centres to accommodate the youngster.

“When I came back from South Africa I was confident, believed that even though I didn’t get the Test cap, I had still had a really good tour,” Hook said. “But, in this environment, things have started not to work for me. Here, even though it is regional rugby and not the Lions, there is more pressure.

“I just don’t seem to be able to get any structure going. I want to get out of this slump. It’s really difficult at the moment,” added Hook.

The despondent fly-half is contracted with the Ospreys until the end of next season, but it remains to be seen if he is open to other avenues.

One international star who will definitely grace Top 14 this season is Springbok super boot Francois Steyn, who has finally arrived in Paris to take up his three-year contract with Racing-Métro 92.

The 22-year-old South African international – who is the youngest ever World Cup winner – said the prospect of challenging himself in a new environment had prompted his move to France.

“I’m still young and all my life I’ve always wanted to sample new experiences,” he told L’Equipe. “When you always do the same things over and over in the same place, you get bored; you always stay in your comfort zone. It’s because of that that I wanted to try something different to see how I will react.”

Steyn said he would “love to continue playing for the Springboks” but admitted that his move to France meant he was now at the mercy of the coaches. “They’re not too keen on picking guys who play overseas, so we’ll see,” he added.

The utility back is expected to be named in Racing’s weekend squad for their home match against Montpellier, and hinted he could begin his French club career at 15.

“The easiest would be to start at full-back because for the moment I don’t know all the combinations or calls,” he explained. “But as soon as I’ve started to master them I’d like to move to inside centre. That said, it’s a little premature to start talking like that. I’ll play wherever they ask me to play, it’s not up to me to ask whatever I want,” said Steyn.

French international and new club colleague Sébastien Chabal, meanwhile, has dipped into his own pocket to help his former side Bourgoin.

The cash-strapped Top 14 club was saved from the brink of bankruptcy earlier this season, and now famous old-boy Chabal has agreed a one-year sponsorship deal through his clothing company ‘Ruckfield’.

Chabal played for Bourgoin between 1998-2004 before moving across the Channel to become a star at Sale Sharks. He returned to France in the summer to take up a contract with Racing-Métro 92, but obviously still has a soft spot for his first club.

“If the approach of Sébastien Chabal is commercial, it is also emotional,” said Pascal Irastorza, the player’s business manager. “Obviously he has not remained unaffected by recent difficulties involving the team of his heart,” he added.

SCA Albi’s mounting problems show no sign of abating. The newly-promoted Top 14 outfit has lost all six of its games back in the elite division so far, and is also nursing an injury list that would turn most coaches ashen with concern.

At present they have a whopping 17 players on the crock list, although Eric Bechu has this week moved to get reinforcements in the shape of Lulian Dumitras, 27. The Romanian international has previously played for Strasbourg, Tarbes and Pau.