South African lock David Ribbans has been named in a formidable Toulon lineup to face Leinster in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final at the Aviva Stadium.
Director of rugby Pierre Mignoni welcomes back Ribbans, who sat out last week’s Top 14 win over Bayonne due to back issue. The former Western Province forward will form a new-look second row with Corentin Mézou for the trip to Dublin.
READ: Leinster lose key star ahead of Toulon showdown
Mézou’s return sees co-captain Charles Ollivon moves to the side of the scrum where he partners Junior Kpoku, with No 8 Mikheil Shioshvili retaining his place.
Toulon have retained the starting front row of Kyle Sinckler, Teddy Baubigny and Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Behind the pack, Scotland scrumhalf Ben White takes over from Baptiste Serin, who drops to the bench. Tomas Albornoz starts at flyhalf while Paolo Garbisi misses out altogether. Utility player Mathis Ferte will provide backline cover.
SUPERBRU: Leinster, Bordeaux to lock up in final
In the only other changes to the backline, Jérémy Sinzelle and Setariki Tuicuvu come in for Oliver Cowie and Ferte at centre and wing, respectively.
Toulon have retained the explosive talents of fullback Melvyn Jaminet, leading try-scorer Gaël Drean and centre Nacho Brex.
TOULON – 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Gaël Drean, 13 Nacho Brex, 12 Jérémy Sinzelle, 11 Setariki Tuicuvu, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Ben White, 8 Mikheil Shioshvili, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Junior Kpoku, 5 David Ribbans, 4 Corentin Mezou, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Teddy Baubigny, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros. Bench: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Daniel Brennan, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Matthias Halagahu, 20 Zach Mercer, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Esteban Abadie, 23 Mathis Ferte.
𝐋𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐎
🫡 Capt’ain Ribbans
White à la mêlée
Dréan à l’aile
Notre partenaire #Kingspan vous présente les 2⃣3⃣
&
pour cette demi-finale de @ChampionsCup !#PerquéTolon #LEIvRCT pic.twitter.com/Gc6FyVMqHn
— RCT – Rugby Club Toulonnais (@RCTofficiel) May 1, 2026
Photo: Ben Brady/INPHO
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