Rugby Union - International Rugby - Bet Now at Bet365
Despite a team filled with stars, Toulon's Jonny Wilkinson says they will give Saracens the respect they deserve when the two teams clash in the Heineken Cup semi-final.
The Top 14 leaders narrowly defeated Leicester Tigers at the weekend and will face Mark McCall's men at Twickenham in late Januaryil.
Although Sarries operate on a fraction of the budget of the French giants, Wilkinson believes they will prove to be tough opposition.
"It's great just to be in the semi-finals," he said. "Twickenham's a fabulous place, I've had a bit of experience there, although not for a little while, but to be at this stage and to play against a great team like Saracens is a pleasure in itself.
"We're paying our respect to the occasion and the team with the fact that we're going to have to work damn hard just to be competitive in that game."
With just four French players starting the game against Leicester, some have criticised Toulon for their recruitment policy of signing numerous world class players from around the globe.
However, Wilkinson praised both the culture and the atmosphere surrounding the team which has seen him put his retirement plans on hold.
He added: "What you saw against Leicester is what is so good about Toulon. The atmosphere was a bit bigger on Sunday because of the occasion, it's the first time we've had a quarter-final here, but that's what we deal with every week.
"It's the spirit in the team as well and it's that combination which makes it so difficult to think about stopping.
"It's only the desire to do well and questioning yourself whether you can actually do that, which was the tricky part. If I can keep doing well for this team then I want to stay here as long as possible."
View all Rugby Union betting at Bet365
