Despite all their riches, Toulon have lost their last three league games, shipping 97 points. They sit eighth in the Top 14, a disastrous outcome for a side with their budget.

This team of superstars is by no means an unstoppable winning machine.

Colin Gregor
Former Glasgow Warriors back on BBC Radio Scotland

I think Glasgow were probably favourites going down to Scarlets in the semi-final and they struggled to deal with the pressure in the first half.

They calmed down and got back to what they're good at in the second half. So you can understand Franco Smith trying to calm things down and say Toulon are the favourites here.

It's been quite the run to the final for Glasgow, gathering momentum as they went, each win building belief in fans and players alike.

After an unbeaten pool stage against Bath and Perpignan, the Warriors then thrashed Dragons 73-33 in the last 16, before overcoming Lions 31-21 in the last eight.

A semi-final away to Scarlets followed, but again Glasgow were unbothered by the weight of expectation, beating the Welsh outfit 35-17 to set up this date with destiny.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Toulon have named a star-studded side for this game, pairing British and Irish Lions fly-half Dan Biggar with Baptiste Serin in the half-backs, while South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe starts at full-back.

Their imposing back row comprises former Scotland forward Cornell du Preez, former France captain Charles Ollivon and the retiring Sergio Parisse, while former France centre Mathieu Bastareaud is among the replacements.

Former Glasgow lock Brian Alainu'uese also starts for the French side.

The main news from the Glasgow line-up is that Scotland internationals Richie Gray and Rory Darge are among the replacements tonight.

Gray and Darge both started the Warriors' last game against Munster but are replaced in the starting line-up by JP du Preez and Sione Vailanu.

George Horne again keeps Ali Price out at scrum-half while Domingo Miotti comes in for the banned Tom Jordan.

Hooker Fraser Brown is preferred to Johnny Matthews for the Dublin final.

Scott Cummings resumes his partnership with South African Du Preez in the second row while Tonga's Vailanu joins Scotland pair Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey - the tournament's top carrier - in the back row.

Huw Jones, a replacement for full-back Ollie Smith against Munster, is reunited with Scotland midfield partner Sione Tuipulotu in the centre with Stafford McDowall dropping to the bench.

Kyle Steyn leads the side from the wing with Sebastian Cancelliere and Smith completing the back three.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

What a road the Warriors have travelled, from self-doubt and almost self-loathing at the end of last season, to a rebirth under Franco Smith, a quirky character whose sayings sometimes crack his players up but who, at his heart, is a very serious rugby man.

He was not exactly what the Glasgow fans were looking for in the summer - and he knows it. They wanted a name, a bit of glamour, a guy with trophies and charisma dripping off him. They got an intelligent campaigner who knew how to problem solve on the hoof.

He has a steadfast air, a refusal to talk too much ahead of the big night, but he knows that the stakes have never been bigger for Glasgow. They are underdogs, yes. Looking at it coldly, Toulon should probably win, but nobody in France is fooling themselves about the threat Glasgow pose.

Your weekend starts here rugby fans!

It's Glasgow v Toulon in Dublin, two sides packed with internationals battling it out for the European Challenge Cup final - what more could you possibly ask for?

The Irish weather has played ball, with a mild, still evening perfectly suited for running rugby. It's sure to be an absolute belter, so let's get cracking, shall we...

Image source, Getty Images