Toulon name 4 England stars and a Scot for Glasgow Warriors clash

Toulon have named four England players and a Scottish international in their matchday 23 for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.

The French heavyweights travel to Scotland with a powerful selection that blends international pedigree with Top 14 nous, as they look to book a place in the semi-finals.

Former England and British & Irish Lions prop Kyle Sinckler starts at tighthead, while captain David Ribbans continues in the second row alongside Corentin Mezou. Ex-England and Bath No.8 Zach Mercer is included among the replacements, while back-rower Junior Kpoku – a former England U20s standout – completes the quartet of England-affiliated players involved.

Scotland scrum-half Ben White gets the nod at nine, where his familiarity with Glasgow’s players will be a of major subplot in this all-or-nothing European tie. The 27-year-old has spent the Six Nations playing alongside the bulk of Franco Smith’s side and no doubt will have inside line on the home side. He partners Argentinian fly-half Tomas Albornoz.

The backline features Melvyn Jaminet at full-back, with Gaël Dréan and Setariki Tuicuvu on the wings. Italy international Nacho Brex and experienced centre Jérémy Sinzelle combine in midfield.

Up front, Toulon select Jean-Baptiste Gros and Teddy Baubigny alongside Sinckler in a formidable front row, while Charles Ollivon and Georgian No.8 Mikheil Shioshvili join Kpoku.

Mercer is joined on the pine by replacement forwards Gianmarco Lucchesi, Daniel Brennan, Beka Gigashvili and Matthias Halagahu. Baptiste Serin provides an experienced head as scrum-half cover, with Esteban Abadie and Mathis Ferte completing the matchday 23.

The match will be refereed by Karl Dickson, with Stuart Terheege serving as TMO.

Toulon team:
15. Melvyn Jaminet; 14. Gaël Dréan, 13. Nacho Brex, 12. Jérémy Sinzelle, 11. Setariki Tuicuvu; 10. Tomas Albornoz, 9. Ben White; 1. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2. Teddy Baubigny, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Corentin Mezou, 5. David Ribbans (c), 6. Junior Kpoku, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Mikheil Shioshvili.

Replacements:
16. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17. Daniel Brennan, 18. Beka Gigashvili, 19. Matthias Halagahu, 20. Zach Mercer, 21. Baptiste Serin, 22. Esteban Abadie, 23. Mathis Ferte.