Roger Wilson is expected to sign for Northampton in a few weeks

The former international, who has played over a 100 times for Ulster, is currently nursing a broken thumb.

The 26-year-old will link up with former Ulster player Paul Shields who is first-choice hooker at the runaway National Division One leaders.

The consistent Wilson played in every one of Ulster's 26 games last season.

He was named 2006/7 Player of the Year, his second such award, and was part of Ireland's Churchill Cup starting line-up for the past two seasons.

Wilson was a former Ireland Schools' and U21 player before gaining Ulster recognition under Alan Solomons' tenure in 2003. He made his single appearance for the Ireland senior team on the 2005 summer tour to Japan.

The Belfast-born Wilson, who is expected to tie up loose ends with Ulster Rugby earlier next week, broke his thumb in the Magners League game against Edinburgh on 1 December and is due to return to action at the start of February.

If the deal goes through, it will be seen as a blow to Ulster who will lose one of their most consistent players in recent seasons.

However, that will be tempered by the impending new deal involving up-and-coming lock Ryan Caldwell.

The 23-year-old is poised to sign a new three-year deal now that he has been named in the IRFU High Performance Select Group of elite young players.

Following meetings with new coach Matt Williams last week, another handful of players will make up their minds next week on whether to stay or move on.

The BBC has learned that at up to six other experienced players will also be making big calls next week.

They will be considering what lifestyle, potential earnings and family situation as well as what their future international prospects would be, if they were to leave Ulster.