Toulon v Wasps: Champions Cup preview
Last Updated: 18/01/16 3:06pm
![Drew Mitchell returns at full-back for Toulon](https://e1.365dm.com/15/12/768x432/rugby-drew-mitchell-toulon_3385655.jpg?20151207104240)
Drew Mitchell returns for Toulon for their Champions Cup Pool 5 clash against Wasps at Stade Felix Mayol.
The Australian comes in for fellow countryman James O'Connor at full-back in an otherwise unchanged backline - fly-half Quade Cooper and centre Ma'a Nonu retain their places despite the pair coming under fire from owner Mourad Boudjellal.
In the forwards Steffon Armitage returns to the No 7 jersey in place of Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and will have a fierce breakdown battle against George Smith.
Prop Matt Mullan will skipper Wasps in the absence of James Haskell, who has been ill this week and therefore unable to rehab from a shoulder knock.
Sam Jones and Guy Thompson, who both impressed in last Sunday's late win over Worcester, start in the back row alongside Smith.
Bradley Davies and James Gaskell form the second row partnership, packing down behind Matt Mullan, Edd Shervington and Lorenzo Cittadini.
There is only one change in the backline, with Charles Piutau fit to return to the starting line-up, at full back.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young is hoping to shock Toulon in their own backyard en route to the quarter-finals.
Wasps condemned the champions to their only European defeat so far this season with a thumping 32-6 triumph at the Ricoh Arena in round two. And if they can produce a repeat performance at Stade Mayol, Wasps will have one foot firmly in the quarter-finals.
"We certainly seem to have saved our best performances for Europe this year and it would be great to have another two big performances in these games," said Young.
"We also recognise we are playing against two wounded animals who will want to get pay back after the first leg results. I think Toulon left the Ricoh Arena pretty upset with their performance, so I'm sure they will want to put it right."It will be tough, but this is what the staff and supporters want, us playing at the top table of European rugby and it certainly doesn't get any bigger than Toulon."
Toulon: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Eric Escande; 1 Florian Fresia, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 3 Levan Chilachava, 4 Jocelino Suta, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 6 Juan Smith, 7 Steffon Armitage, 8 Duane Vermeulen
Replacements: 16 Anthony Etrillard, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Mamuka Gorgodze, 20 Frederic Michalak, 21 Maxime Mermoz, 22 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23 Thibault Lassale
Wasps: 15 Charles Piutau; 14 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Ben Jacobs, 11 Frank Halai; 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Joe Simpson; 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Edd Shervington, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 James Gaskell, 6 Sam Jones, 7 George Smith, 8 Guy Thompson.
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Rob Miller.