Cardiff Blues v Toulon: Teams

Cardiff Blues welcome back Richie Rees and Taufa'au Filise for Sunday's Amlin Challenge Cup final against Toulon in Marseille.

Scrum-half Rees has overcome an ankle injury while powerful prop Filise is back from his groin problem.

And so as not to tinker with his side too much, Blues chief Dai Young has made only one change from the starting line-up that defeated Wasps at Adams Park last time out.

Bradley Davies has been handed a starting berth at lock in place of Paul Tito, who moves to the bench. Gethin Jenkins has been handed the captaincy.

World stars

"They have got world stars, but we are hoping we can get among them. We have some real quality players ourselves," said head coach Young.

"I believe it is about us bringing our game and imposing ourselves.

"We are very respectful of them, and we know that if we give them the space and time they could carve us up, so we are determined not to give them that space and time.

"When you play against any French team you know it is always going to be a battle up-front, and we have to make sure we improve on our scrum going into the final, as we came second-best against Wasps in that area in the semi-final."

Meanwhile, Toulon boss Philippe Saint-Andre has decided to shuffle his side following a painful Top 14 play-off defeat in extra-time to Clermont last weekend.

On to the wing goes Jeremy Sinzelle in place of a benched Tana Umaga while Sebastien Bruno, Joe El Abd, Laurent Emmanuelli, Mafi Kefu, Luke Rooney, Kris Chesney and Jocelino Suta all miss out on making the starting line-up.

Tough final

The former Sale director of rugby has opted not to start long-time colleague Bruno at hooker and instead opts for Phillip Fitzgerald in the number two jersey.

Elsewhere, Australia's Matt Henjak gets the nod over ex-Clermont scrum-half Pierre Mignoni to start inside the Stade Velodrome.

"We know we are in for a very tough final," admitted Saint-Andre. "The Blues were originally in the Heineken Cup this season, but since they came into the Challenge Cup at the quarter-final stage they have beaten Newcastle and Wasps - both away.

"They have top-class quality players everywhere, but a fabulous back three in particular, and strong in the midfield with players like Jamie Roberts.

"I honestly believe we are in for a fantastic and amazing game as we try to win the Amlin title in a stadium where we know we will once again have incredible support.

"We owe it to our fans to win some silverware this season."

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Faao Filise, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Gareth Williams, 17 John Yapp, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Paul Tito, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 David Flanagan, 23 Dafydd Hewitt.

Toulon: 15 Clement Marienval, 14 Gabi Lovobalavu, 13 Tom May, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Jeremy Sinzelle, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Fotunuupule Auelua, 7 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Joe van Niekerk, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Esteban Lozada, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Phillip Fitzgerald, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau.
Replacements: 16 Sebastien Bruno, 17 Laurent Emmanuelli, 18 Tim Ryan, 19 Jocelino Suta, 20 Thomas Sourice, 21 Mafi Kefu, 22 Pierre Mignoni, 23 Tana Umaga.