Mitchell to go under the knife

Toulon - Toulon's Australian back Drew Mitchell is to undergo an operation on a groin injury on Friday, the French giants announced, adding that they hoped the 70-times capped Wallaby would return to fitness for the start of next season.

Mitchell, 32, also announced the operation through Twitter, saying he would be back in three months, having not played since Toulon's defeat by Clermont on April 3.

Toulon, however, will welcome back Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny for the Top 14 playoffs.

Halfpenny sustained a knee injury for Wales in a World Cup warm-up match against Italy and has not played for Toulon this season.

The 27-year-old has started to run and kick again this week, Toulon coach Bernard Laporte saying he was hoping to have the Welshman back on the paddock in three weeks.