Jonny Wilkinson will be crucial to Toulon's hopes © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Alun Wyn Jones | Jonny Wilkinson

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Teams: France | Ospreys | Toulon | Wales

Ospreys skipper Alun-Wyn Jones is excited by the prospect of facing off against Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon on Saturday, insisting that their fiercely competitive Pool will stand them in good stead should they progress to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup.

If they are to make the quarter-finals for the fourth season in succession the Ospreys must overcome Wilkinson's tournament newcomers as well as two-time champions Munster and Aviva Premiership leaders London Irish.

Their task begins with a trip to the Stade Felix Mayol to face big-spending Toulon and Jones believes that Wilkinson will have a big role to play in the outcome of the game.

"It is inevitable that as a fly-half and world-class player Jonny Wilkinson is at the heart of almost everything they do," Jones said. "He is certainly going to push their ambitions in the Heineken Cup. We accept it is going to be a tough ask and he is going to be a key man for them.

"We seem to have a bit of a reputation for being in tough groups, but that is not such a bad thing. Our performances have grown steadily in recent seasons and we have qualified for the knockout stages in the last three tournaments.

"It is often the case that teams who get through from the tougher and more competitive pools are the ones you see in the last four and that is where you want to be for a shout of winning the Cup. Hopefully it is going to be our time soon and we will get the big Heineken Cup breakthrough. Once we get to a semi-final, anything can happen."

Wilkinson has settled in at Toulon perfectly and last season helped guide them to the semi-finals of the Top 14 and the Amlin Challenge Cup final, being named in the Top 14 'dream team' for 2009-10. He now hopes to end his career in the south of France, something that Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal is keen to facilitate.

"I am very happy in Toulon," Wilkinson told The Guardian. "There is a passion for rugby and a great atmosphere. I have never experienced anything like it. I have no desire or reason to change teams. When you feel good, you can do your best. Having such a top team around me benefits my game. I still want to play but it depends on my body: at the moment it is very good.

"It was an honour to be voted into the Top 14 team of the season. It is maybe the best competition there is. It is a pleasure to play in the league but also a big challenge. We play against top teams and in big stadiums. It helps bring out the best in me."