Paul O’Connell is expected to complete a two-year deal to join Toulon after the World Cup, following Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 final with Munster.

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The talisman lock has a dual Munster and Ireland contract that runs until summer 2016, but is thought to be able to free himself from the final stages of that commitment.

The 35-year-old will line up for Munster for the final time in Saturday’s PRO12 final against Glasgow at Ulster’s Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Ireland’s oldest captain of all time will lead Joe Schmidt’s men in the autumn World Cup in England, and is now set to head to Toulon at the completion of the tournament.

Despite previous denials, Toulon have been keen to recruit the Irish lineout master to boost their lock options following the retirements of Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams.

Meanwhile, after dicing with relegation last year, Oyonnax will try and make history when they face Toulouse in the play-offs today.

Fired by the dependable boot of Argentinian fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta and able to field a solid pack, Oyonnax have now become a team no one in the Top 14 takes lightly – including Toulouse who entertain them today.

“I knew this club had a real potential,” acknowledged coach Urios, who is off to coach Castres next term, a club he won the French title with as a player and previously coached in 2002-05.

Last night, Stade Francais handed out a 38-15 beating to Paris rivals Racing Metro to set up a meeting with Toulon in the semi-finals. South African fly-half Morne Steyn kicked a remarkable 28 points with a penalty try and a Waisea Nayacalevu score making up their tally.

Maxime Machenaud and Jamie Roberts went over for an outgunned Racing.