Triple target for Toulon

First there's the chance to bring some silverware to a club that has been starved of trophies in recent years, then there's the opportunity to banish the demons of the 2010 defeat to Cardiff Blues at the same stage of the competition, and finally there's the fact that the tournament showpiece is being played back in his native England.

Toulon take on fellow French giants Biarritz Olympique at the Twickenham Stoop in just over a fortnight's time after seeing off Stade Francais in a nail-biting semi-final and El Abd is now desperate to finish off the job in the English capital.

"It means a lot to us all. Hopefully, we can win something this year," said El Abd, who played in the 2003 Parker Pen Shield Final for Caerphilly.

"It's a competition that's there to be won. We were there a couple of years ago but we didn't quite do what we wanted in the final.

"Those of us who were in the final two years ago remember it well. That defeat definitely spurs you on. That was a missed opportunity, especially as the final was in Marseilles. Now we've got a chance to put the record straight.

"We're looking forward to going down to London. Playing another French team in the final will be quite strange but we're really looking forward to the occasion.

"The fact that the final's back in England is great as well. I don't go home much to be honest. The Top 14's such a long competition and rugby's all consuming, so this will be a good opportunity to do that and see family and friends.

"It's going to be a big weekend of rugby with the Heineken Cup on the Saturday as well so it's good to be part of that. That definitely adds to the whole occasion. We kick of the weekend and hopefully we'll kick it off with a good night.

"We've managed to gel together well as a group and a game like the one against Stade can only help that even more. That should be good for us going into the final. Now I hope we can put in another big performance and go all the way."