Rugby:Toulon may parade a cast of stars but Connacht coach Michael Bradley is convinced they will be no match for the Galway X-factor in tomorrow night's Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final at the Sportsground.
Big-spending Toulon head to the west of Ireland as one of the form teams in Europe, having last weekend secured a place in the Top 14 semi-finals.
Jonny Wilkinson will start at outhalf, the South African Joe Van Niekerk at flanker and the rampaging Juan Fernandez Lobbe at number eight.
Such is their strength in the depth Argentina’s Felipe Contepomi does not even make it on to the bench.
But Bradley warned Toulon a Friday night trip to the Showground will really sort the men from the boys.
“Toulon embarked on a strategy which has got them to the top of the Top 14 and they have quality throughout their squad,” he said.
“They are a colourful side with big names and big stars with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson to pick and choose from.
“But they have to come to Galway and we have the X-factor in terms of our ground. We have a home draw and, while they will bring the stars, we’ll bring our support and we’ll see who comes out on top.
“We went through the pool stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup unbeaten and we were able to carry that form through into the Bourgoin game.
“That sort of confidence has spilled over into our Magners League performances and we’re having a good end to the season.
“The crowd were very important to us on the day against Bourgoin and obviously in big cup matches home advantage can count.
“The last time we were in an Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final we lost to Harlequins over two legs and they went on to win the tournament, so the fans are looking forward to the game against Toulon and it’s going to be a massive game for us.”
Having been passed fit yesterday, Connacht captain John Muldoon will take his place in the backrow for tomorrow night’s semi-final.
Bradley has made just one change from the side that overcame Bourgoin in the last eight with Aidan Wynne coming into the centre for the injured Keith Matthews.
Elsewhere, Frank Murphy will start at scrumhalf having shaken off an ankle injury while prop Jamie Hagan and centre Niva TA’auso are also fit to start.
The Toulon team sheet may not contain the names of Pierre Mignoni or Sonny Bill William (both are named on the bench) but the visitors will arrive in Galway with plenty of firepower.
Wilkinson, Van Niekerk and Fernandez Lobbe all start as Philippe Saint-André’s side attempt to complete a European and domestic double.
Former Munster prop Tim Ryan, who was on the losing side the last time he played at the Sportsground, is included on a formidable looking replacements bench.
Saint-Andre conceded the balance had just been tipped in Connacht’s favour by the home draw.
Saint-Andre added: “I think if the semi-final was at home we’d be favourites, but we’re going to Galway on a Friday night and it will certainly be difficult.
“It’s a tough place to go, so we need to play our best, be disciplined and well organised.
“We realise Connacht will play with a lot of passion, they’ll be desperate to win and they have several young players with a lot of talent.”
But Toulon have the ultimate carrot.
Victory tomorrow will ensure the final against either Wasps or Cardiff Blues is played at the 60,000-capacity Stade Velodrome, which Toulon have already packed out this season.
Scotland flanker John Barclay, meanwhile, today escaped suspension, despite being found guilty of stamping on Rhys Ruddock during Glasgow’s Magners League win over Leinster.
Barclay was cited for trampling on Ruddock’s ankle during Friday night’s 30-6 victory at Firhill. The case was heard last night by an independent Scottish Rugby discipline panel, who upheld the citing.
But Scottish Rugby said in a statement: “The panel did not feel the incident warranted a red card so no suspension was given to the player, who is free to play.”
Connacht: G Duffy; T Nathan, N Ta'auso, A Wynne, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon (c), J O'Connor, G Naoupu. Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, B Upton, M McComish, C O'Loughlin, M Nikora, B Tuohy, R Morris
Toulon: L Rooney; G Lovobalavu, M Kefu, T May, C Marienval; J Wilkinson, M Henjak (c); S Taumoepeau, P Fitzgerald, T Leaaetoa; J Suta, E Lozada; J van Niekerk, T Sourice, J Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: S Bruno, B Basteres, T Ryan, K Chesney, O Missoup, J Sinzelle, P Mignoni, S Williams.