There’ll be plenty of Wallabies ticking off some match day duties in the lead-up to Christmas, as the Top 14 goes on.
Peter Kimlin’s Grenoble pulled off a huge upset over Toulouse in the opening match of the round on Thursday, with a shock 26-22 victory.
Kimlin played at blindside flanker in the match, with a Jonathan Wisniewski penalty keeping Toulouse at bay despite a strong comeback from the fifth-placed side.
Mike Harris will steer Lyon against Brive on Saturday morning (AEDT), starting at flyhalf for his new club.
Aussie teammate Curtis Browning had a big week off the field, welcoming daughter Penelope into the world.
Will Genia will make his return at scrumhalf for Stade Francais against Clermont, alongside Aussie lock Hugh Pyle.
Sitaleki Timani will come off the bench for Clermont in the clash.
Adam Ashley-Cooper will take on former Brumbies and Wallabies teammate Ben Mowen in Pau, with Ashley-Cooper on the right wing for Bordeaux and Mowen at blindside flanker for Pau.
Luke Jones will start in the second row for Bordeaux, a spot he has staked his claim on this season.
James O’Connor will shift to inside centre for Toulon in another Top 14 battle stacked with Aussies, when they take on Toulon.
O’Connor has generally played wing or fullback for his French side, but has moved into the centres for the match, while former Queensland Reds forward Liam Gill will be at blindside flanker.
Joe Tomane will play outside centre for Montpellier, with Nic White at scrumhalf.
TOP LEAGUE
George Smith will be at openside when Suntory take on Yamaha in a top of the table battle which could open the for the Sungoliath to overtake Jubilo.
Wycliff Palu will start at eight for Toyota Verblitz against the Toshiba Brave Lupus in their Christmas Eve clash in Tokyo.
Mark Gerrard will be at fullback for the Toyota Industries Shuttles against the Ricoh Black Rams, with former Queensland Red Sam Green starting at 10.
Hugh McMeniman and Digby Ioane will start in the second row and on the wing for Honda, as the Heat search for their second win of the season, against the NTT Shining Arcs.
Scott Higginbotham will line up for the NEC Green Rockets, only days after tying the knot.
David Pocock will headline a Fukuoka match up with Munakata Sanix, starting at seven for Panasonic, with Berrick Barnes at 10 and Daniel Heenan in the second row.
PREMIERSHIP
The Premiership sides are yet to announce their lineups for the Christmas weekend, though Will Skelton, Kurtley Beale, Dave Dennis and Greg Holmes are among those who could feature on Christmas Eve.
