European Champions Cup: Toulon v Scarlets preview

Reigning kings of Europe Toulon kick-off their Champions Cup campaign against Scarlets in a real David v Goliath clash at the Stade Felix Mayol on Sunday.

Mighty Toulon are currently second in the French Top 14 but head into the game still reeling from a 21-10 defeat at Toulouse on Sunday evening.

However, they are yet to be beaten at their home fortress on the Cote d'Azur in the top tier of European rugby and are overwhelming favourites to come away with a win.

Scarlets have been a model of inconsistency in the Pro12 this season and are favourites for the wooden spoon in a group of death also containing Leicester and Ulster in Pool 3.

Steffon Armitage will be trying to prove he's not been distracted by the rumours of a potential move to Bath.

His attempt to break into England's squad for the Rugby World Cup next year were dashed after securing a release from his three-year contract with Toulon proved impossible.

Coach Bernard Laporte said they were prepared to release the European player of the year on a six-month loan if he received certainty of playing in the World Cup in England, but no guarantee was given.

The 29-year-old back row will now remain at the club has been included in their line-up for Sunday's encounter which would make him cup-tied should he eventually make a move.

Global superstars

Georgian powerhouse Mamuka Gorgodze picked up a knee injury against Toulouse, but Laporte is still able to call upon a list of global superstars including Australian international Matt Giteau, South Africa's all-time record try-scorer Bryan Habana, All Black Carl Hayman and Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny.

The 2013 Lions man-of-the series has held off competition from James O’Connor and Delon Armitage for the No 15 jersey.

With the likes of ex-Argentina captain Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe and French stars Mathieu Bastareaud and Maxime Mermoz also lining up in a star-studded starting XI, Scarlets will be clear underdogs.

The West Wales region were beaten 38-12 by Toulon in the quarter-finals of the second tier Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010.

Four years on and head coach Wayne Pivac has called on his side to raise the bar against the best side in Europe, but they head into the clash on the back of a 17-6 Pro12 defeat to Munster at Thomond Park last Friday night.

The week was marked by the loss of Gareth Davies to a serious knee injury that will keep him out for three months.

He joins the likes of Regan King and Ken Owens on the sidelines but the Scarlets will take confidence from their last trip to France, when they beat Racing Metro 19-13 in Paris.

Toulon: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 David Smith, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde; 1 Xavier Chiocci, 2 Jean-Charles Orioli, 3 Carl Hayman (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 5 Ali Williams, 6 Juan Smith, 7 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8 Steffon Armitage.

Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Alexandre Menini, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 James O’Connor, 21 Rudi Wulf, 22 Michael Claassens, 23 Romain Taofifenua.

Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Michael Tagicakibau, 12 Scott Williams (c), 11 Kristian Phillips; 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rory Pitman.

Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 George Earle, 20 James Davies, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Jordan Williams.

Watch Toulon v Scarlets live on Sky Sports 2 on Sunday from 3pm