Rugby: Brumbies to take on Sonny Bill, Gower

CANBERRA - Sonny Bill Williams and Craig Gower are set to face-off against more Australian opposition when the Brumbies embark on a tour of France next month.

The ACT-based Super 14 franchise has announced a development tour of the country, which will include matches against Williams' Toulon and Gower's Bayonne.

The two former NRL stars made their international rugby union debuts against the Wallabies in Australia earlier this month, Williams turning out for the Barbarians and Gower for Italy.

The Brumbies will close their tour against Toulon, who also boast Australians Matt Henjak and Luke Rooney and England World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson, on August 6.

They will take on Bayonne on July 28.

The other two matches are against Bourgoin-Jallieu in Lyon on July 24 and French champions Perpignan on July 31.

"Obviously Perpignan will be very strong after winning the Top 14 against Clermont earlier this month and having only dropped one match at home this season," Brumbies coach Andy Friend said.

"It provides a very exciting challenge for us.

"Toulon and Bayonne narrowly missed out on the Top 14 finals series and will also be tough."

The Brumbies will name a development squad for the tour next week but a Williams-Stirling Mortlock re-match will not occur with the Wallabies captain on international duty.

- AAP