Elsom signs Toulon deal

Paris - Former Australia captain Rocky Elsom signed for French Top 14 leaders Toulon on Friday as a replacement for Stephane Munoz, who has been ruled out of the rest of the season after fracturing an eye socket.

Elsom, himself no stranger to the treatment table having suffered a series of groin and shoulder problems since the 2011 World Cup, underwent medical tests this week and is expected to start training next week.

Back-row forward Elsom, who celebrated his 30th birthday in February, played 75 times for Australia between 2005 and 2011 and in recent years featured for the Waratahs in the Super 15 and Kobelco Steelers in the Japanese championship.

The Australian has played in Europe before, winning the European Cup with Leinster in 2009.

Toulon could also use Elsom as cover for Argentina's Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe who is out of action with a ruptured spleen.