Wallabies abroad: Barnes returns for title fight

Former Wallaby Berrick Barnes will return to the Panasonic Wild Knights team as they compete for the Japanese Top League title.

Barnes has missed the past two matches with a groin injury but will return from the bench in the final, as the Wild Knights vie for a third straight championship against the Toshiba Brave Lupus.

Wallabies backrower Ben McCalman will come off the bench for the Wild Knights in the championship game on Sunday.

CHAMPIONS CUP

It’s been a big week for Quade Cooper, announcing his signing with the Australian Sevens and that will continue this weekend.

Cooper has been named to start at flyhalf for Toulon for the third week in a row, with a home quarter-final on the line against Bath.

James O’Connor also returns to the line up at fullback, after missing last week’s win over Wasps through injury.

Matt Giteau is still recovering from groin surgery, while Drew MItchell has not been named for the match.

A bonus point win would hand Toulon top spot in their pool and quarter-final hosting duties.

Wallabies veteran George Smith will line up at openside for the Wasps in their final pool match.

A win would give them a shot at top spot and a much-needed morale boost after an injury-time loss against Toulon last weekend.

Lock Mark Chisholm will feature in Munster’s match up Benetton Treviso, named on the bench.

Munster are all but certain to miss out on a quarter-final spot but the club wants to end its campaign on a high.

Capped Wallabies winger Taqele Naiyaravoro will line up on the right wing for Glasgow against Dan Carter’s Racing 92 on Sunday morning (AEDT).

With a quarter-final spot out of reach, neither Adam Ashley-Cooper nor Sekope Kepu has been named for Bordeaux’s match against Clermont.

CHALLENGE CUP

Jesse Mogg opened the scoring for Montpellier as they thrashed Harlequins 42-9 and secured their Challenge Cup quarter-final spot.

Mogg crossed in the 14th minute to give the French side an early lead and the first of their five tries of the match.

Fellow Aussie Nic White found himself on the score sheet in the 68th minute, increasing Montpellier's advantage and making a quick impact despite playing just 14 minutes of the match.

Luke Burgess will come off the bench for Italian side Zebre as they face Gloucester to secure their final eight spot.

Their opponents are already assured of a quarter-final spot, undefeated through the pool stage so far.

Peter Kimlin will start at lock for Grenoble in their Challenge Cup match up with Edinburgh.

Grenoble leads its pool by just one point over Edinburgh heading into the clash, with the winner set to take top spot and a home quarter-final.