London - Toulon's bid to be crowned kings of Europe for an unprecedented third successive season will see their star-studded side up against familiar foes when they take on French rivals Clermont in Saturday's final at Twickenham.
Toulon boasts the talents of Australia's Matt Giteau, South Africa's Bakkies Botha and New Zealand's Carl Heyman.
But Clermont, looking to gain revenge for their 16-15 defeat by Toulon in the 2013 final, have plenty of international firepower including Australian playmaker Brock James and England's Nick Abendanon.
Wales's Jonathan Davies is there too, although he must fight off competition from the likes of France's Wesley Fofana and Aurelien Rougerie for a place in Clermont's midfield.
Both clubs are among the most well-financed in Europe, with Toulon backed by wealthy comic-book publisher Mourad Boudjellal while Clermont were founded by the family behind France's Michelin tyre company and still receive generous backing from the business to this day.
Yet, as is often the way in modern professional sport, both clubs like to portray themselves as outsiders, even underdogs.
"We are accused of being a wealthy club but Toulon is a great adventure," Boudjellal told AFP.
"It's like Indiana Jones, but it's my money and I'm putting everything including my shirt on the line, while Michelin pours 100 million euros into Clermont.
"It's not a criticism, because Michelin is a great French business, but I don't understand why Clermont try to pass themselves off as a poor club."
AFP
