Giteau at flyhalf for Toulon

Giteau will dictate play for the reigning champions in their tough trip to fellow Top 14 outfit Racing 92 after recovering from a groin problem, leaving former All Black Tom Taylor to warm the bench.

Giteau has not played since mid-December and underwent surgery in January to fix the problem.

Fellow Wallaby James O'Connor will play on the left wing with Englishman Delon Armitage lining up at fullback due to the absences of South African flyer Bryan Habana and Aussie back Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand legend Ma'a Nonu will play on Giteau's outside shoulder with Maxime Mermoz preferred to fellow France international Mathieu Bastareaud at inside centre. Josua Tuisova lines up on the other wing

Up Front, there is a South African flavour in the back row with Juan Smith and Duane Vermeulen combining with Charles Ollivlon. Romain Taofifenua and Mamuka Gorgodze are the locks, while Manasa Paulo, captain Guilhem Guirado and Florian Fresia are the trio in the front row.

Toulon: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Maxime Mermoz, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 James O’Connor, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Jonathan Pélissié, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Charles Ollivlon, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Manasa Paulo, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Florian Fresia.

Replacements: 16 Jean-Charles Orioli, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Steffon Armitage, 20 Mathieu Bastareaud, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Éric Escande, 23 Thibault Lassale.

Date: Sunday, April 11

Venue: Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Paris

Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Luke Pearce (England)

TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

Agence France-Presse