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Gethin Jenkins is relishing the prospect of taking on his former Toulon team-mates during the Blues’ Heineken Cup campaign.
The Wales and Lions prop parted company with the French club at the end of last season after sharing in them being crowned European champions.
He’s come back to Cardiff to rejoin the Blues who he spent eight years with before heading across the Channel.
And, as fate would have it, the Arms Park-based region have been grouped with Toulon in the draw for this season’s Heineken Cup.
That means Jenkins will be able to reacquaint himself with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Giteau and Carl Hayman when he locks horns with the star-studded outfit.
The Blues will step out against Toulon on the new artificial pitch at the Arms Park in the second round of group matches on Saturday, October 19.
Then on the weekend of January 10-12, they will travel to France for the re-match.
The setting for that fixture is yet to be confirmed, amid speculation that it may be moved to Nice.
Going into their Pool Two campaign, the Blues will have the added incentive of both European finals being staged in the Welsh capital.
“It’s fantastic that the Heineken and Amlin Cup finals are being held in Cardiff as they always generate such a great atmosphere,” said Jenkins.
“We’ve been drawn in a tough group with Exeter, Glasgow and my old club Toulon.
“I know all the French boys will be looking forward to coming over here.
“It will also be great to go back to France.
“There’s a great atmosphere there, fantastic support and we all know what a great team they are, so it will be a tough challenge for us.
“We’ve got a tough group so we need to put in some big performances.”
Reflecting on his year in France, Jenkins said: “Life out in Toulon was quiet.
“I settled in quite well out there.
“The rugby was tough, very different to what I’m used to in Wales, and obviously coming back to play international matches was difficult due to the style of play in France.
“However, I really enjoyed living there and I’m glad I did it.”
