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Saracens' Justin Marshall renews hostilities with Jonny Wilkinson in Toulon tonight in an Amlin Challenge Cup clash that could set new standards for the competition.
And the match will give Marshall - the most capped scrum-half in All Black history - the chance to show the doubters in France he is still a force to be reckoned with despite an ill-fated spell at Montpellier last season.
The Challenge Cup has always operated in the shadow of the Heineken Cup, but with Sarries, Toulon, Castres, London Wasps and big-spending Racing-Metro 92 involved this season, the pool matches demand a wider audience.
Tonight's game is the most eagerly awaited of the competition with Marshall and No10 Wilkinson - rivals during clashes between New Zealand and England - just two of the stars on show.
Toulon's line-up will include Springbok Joe van Niekerk, Scotland wing Rory Lamont and ex-Sale and France hooker Sebastien Bruno. Saracens fielded a young side in their easy opening win over Rovigo last week but have called up their big guns headed by England captain Steve Borthwick, who returns to action after an eye injury, and Michael Owen, who led Wales to the Grand Slam.
Marshall joined Saracens in January on a short-term contract to solve a scrum-half crisis but did so well director of rugby Brendan Venter decided to include him in this season's plans.
The 36-year-old has helped Saracens to the top of the Guinness Premiership and, given his experiences in France last season, has an extra incentive to keep the team's unbeaten start to the campaign going tonight.
Although Marshall has been capped 81 times by the All Blacks he struggled to hold down a place in Montpellier's XV and the club allowed him to leave halfway through a one-year deal.
Marshall is eager to be in the thick of the action tonight as his only experience of rugby at Toulon was sitting in the stands watching his former club. He said: "They sing this unique song before matches at Toulon and it really does create a special atmosphere. It can be pretty hostile there and I look forward to experiencing that on the pitch.
"We are facing a huge challenge against Toulon with a very strong side. I am sure Jonny Wilkinson will run out, take a look across and think, "Bloody hell, it's that wrinkly old Justin Marshall in the Sarries team'."
Marshall has been i mpressed by the resilience his team have shown this season and thinks the clash will show just how far they have come.
"Brendan has introduced a brand new way of playing which is designed to win the Premiership and that takes time to implement," he said. "While it's still being developed, we have kept winning matches which is hugely important. Sarries have had a problem over the years winning away from home but that's changing and the Toulon match has a huge amount riding on it. We are really up for this one."
Meanwhile, differences over a length of contract could stop Ian McGeechan becoming the new director of rugby at Harlequins. The former London Wasps chief is understood to favour an 18-month deal while Quins have made it clear they would like a longer commitment from their new man.
Other candidates for the role include former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett, and Dean Ryan, sacked by Gloucester at the end of last season.
* Toulon v Saracens, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2
