Toulon's hopes of survival in the Top 14 and signing England's 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson could well hinge on beating Top 14 leaders Toulouse on Saturday in a sold out Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Judging by Toulouse stalwart Jean-Baptiste Elissalde their chances are high as the scrum-half cum fly-half admitted to L'Equipe newspaper that their 9-6 defeat in the European Cup quarter-finals last weekend had knocked the stuffing out of them.

"I don't think that Toulon are going to suffer a backlash," said the 31-year-old, who was less than impressed at comments made to a newspaper by France coach Marc Lievremont that his days as a French international were effectively over.

"This is no disrespect to Toulon but I hope that they will understand that we feel a bit deflated after our exit from the European Cup as we had high hopes of lifting the trophy.

"From a comparable point of view this match doesn't matter all that much," added the 35-times capped Elissalde.

Elissalde, who won the European Cup with Toulouse in 2005 and the French title last year, is far from certain to make his first start since he injured his elbow on February 28.

French international trio Maxime Medard, Yannick Jauzion and Cedric Heymans have all been given the weekend off by manager Guy Noves after a hectic few months which has seen them play Top 14, Six Nations and the European Cup.

France fly-half David Skrela - who was also named by Lievremont as being over the hill for international rugby - will also miss the match as he is returning from a rib injury.

Toulon could well seal their place in the Top 14 with victory as they are presently eight points ahead of second from bottom Dax, who are away at mid-table Montauban, and make it easier for next season's director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre to lure high profile players to the big-spending club.

Signing Wilkinson would be a high risk and expensive strategy as he has barely played since landing the drop goal that secured England the World Cup in Sydney in 2003 - but Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is keen to have him.

"I am trying to sign one or two good, high-profile players, and Jonny Wilkinson is one of them," Saint-Andre told the Daily Telegraph earlier this month.

The other high profile match of the weekend programme sees fourth-placed Clermont host fifth-placed Brive with the former desperate for the win and the points that would see them take a double digit points lead over the pursuing pack for the final play-off spot.

Victory for Brive, though, could pull them to within at least four points - depending on bonus points - of Clermont and make it a nervy last three matches for them, especially as Clermont's next match is away at high-flying Perpignan.

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