Clermont-Auvergne are set to take action against Jaque Fourie following the South Africa centre's apparent U-turn in moving to the French club.
The Golden Lions on Friday released a statement which said they have a 'fixed-term contract of employment with Jaque Fourie until 31 October 2010' and that they would not be releasing the Springbok star, who has been linked with a move to Western Province.
However, Clermont claim to have a letter signed by Fourie that ties him to their club for the coming season.
Clermont vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet told today's edition of French daily newspaper L'Equipe: 'The debate is moving to the legal side, it is going to be sorted out between lawyers.
'By principle, we are going to go as far as possible.'