Sonny Bill in Toulon XV for final
Fri, 21 May 2010 16:07
Toulon have named a strong side to take on the Cardiff Blues in the Amlin Challenge Cup final in Marseille on Sunday.
There are five changes to the Toulon side that defeated Connacht in the semifinals, with the major blow being the injury that rules out Australian fullback Luke Rooney.
Rooney fractured his collarbone during Toulon's 35-29 Top 14 semifinal loss to Clermont, which means Clement Marienval is switched from the wing and will pull on the No.15 jersey on Sunday.
In another blow wing Olivier Missoup, who would have been the likely choice to take over from Marienval on the left wing, will also miss the match after suffering a knock to his ankle during the Clermont match. However, this opens the door for Jeremy Sinzelle to start on the wing.
The powerful Sonny Bill Williams is handed a start at inside centre, while veteran player/coach Tana Umaga is on the bench.
In the forwards Fotunuupule Auelua starts at No.8, with Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe moving across to flank and Thomas Sourice drops down onto the bench. Ross Skeate returns to the second row in place of Jocelino Suta and Davit Kubriashvili takes over from Tonga Lea'aetoa at tighthead prop.
Toulon: 15 Clement Marienval, 14 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 13 Tom May, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Jeremy Sinzelle, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Matt Henjak (captain), 8 Fotunuupule Auelua, 7 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Joe van Niekerk, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Esteban Lozada, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Philip Fitzgerald, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau.
Replacements: 16 Sebastien Bruno, 17 Laurent Emmanuelli, 18 Tim Ryan, 19 Jocelino Suta, 20 Thomas Sourice, 21 Mafileo Kefu, 22 Pierre Mignoni, 23 Tana Umaga.
Date: Sunday, May 23
Venue: Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Kick-off: 13.00 GMT
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Alan Lewis (Ireland), George Clancy (Ireland)
TMO: Tony Redmond (Ireland)