Early Toulon and Toulouse tests for O’Gara and Sexton

Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O’Gara face a baptism of fire in their new careers at Racing Metro, with their first two away matches at Toulon and Toulouse.

O’Gara is already settling into life in Paris as kicking coach, with Sexton set to link up with his new club next month.

The Irish pair will be able to ease into the new season with a home Top 14 tie against Brive on the weekend of August 16-17.

But Sexton is likely go toe-to-toe with Jonny Wilkinson the following week when Racing travel to take on Heineken Cup champions Toulon.

The following week Sexton will be reunited with former Leinster colleague Damien Browne, now with newly-promoted Oyonnax.

Racing Metro will travel to Toulouse on the first weekend of September while the first Paris derby of the season will take place in late October when Racing will host Stade Francais.