Wasps v Toulon: Champions Cup preview
Last Updated: 22/11/15 5:09pm
James Haskell returns to skipper Wasps as they host Toulon at the Ricoh Arena in the Champions Cup on Sunday.
After recovering from injury Haskell slots into the back-row alongside George Smith and No 8 Nathan Hughes and is the only change to the starting side that beat Leinster in Dublin last weekend.
Bradley Davies was a late withdrawal due to illness so James Gaskell comes into the second row, while Italy tighthead Lorenzo Cittadini returns following his one-match suspension.
Last week's man of the match Charles Piutau will be looking to build on his Dublin showing, along with wingers Christian Wade and Frank Halai who all caused problems for Leinster.
Wasps' Director of Rugby Dai Young said his side needed to produce consistent performances rather than become complacent after a brilliant display at the RDS Arena.
"It was a great performance by our squad last week, but we know we need to back it up this weekend," said Young.
"There has been no time to rest on our laurels, that's for sure. Toulon coming to town certainly focuses the mind and we're really looking forward to the challenge they present.
"As a player and as a coach, you want to test yourself against the very best. These are the kinds of challenges you dream of. Playing the reigning champions, on your own turf, is an occasion that doesn't come around very often. We will look to embrace that and try to make sure we play to our potential to do ourselves justice.
"Toulon are a fantastic team. They have deservedly won the title three years running - the first team ever to achieve that - but our squad won't be daunted. We need to draw on our experience out in Toulon last season, when we faced them in the quarter final.
"They deservedly won that game, but we caused them a few problems along the way and we need to build on our second half performance in the South of France. We know we have to be at our best if we are to get the result we want.
"These European occasions are rare and should be savoured. It's not often supporters get to see so many superstars of the game, on one pitch, in a club rugby match. We are fortunate to have a few internationals ourselves and I am sure every single one of our players is relishing the chance to take on the European Champions at our home ground."
Toulon have picked a strong side for the trip to Coventry with Bryan Habana, Juan Fernandez Lobbe and Steffon Armitage all named in the starting XV.
New recruit Quade Cooper gets his first taste of European rugby in the No 10 jersey and former Springbok Juan Smith captains the side from the side of the scrum.
Wasps: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Ben Jacobs, 11 Frank Halai, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Joe Simpson; 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 James Gaskell, 6 James Haskell (c), 7 George Smith, 8 Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Sailosi Tagicakibau.
Toulon: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Jonathan Pelissie; 1 Xavier Chiocci, 2 Anthony Etrillard, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 6 Juan Smith (c), 7 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8 Steffon Armitage.
Replacements: 16 Bastien Soury, 17 Florian Fresia, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Duane Vermeulen, 20 Mamuka Gorgodze, 21 Theo Belan, 22 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23 Konstantine Mikautadze.