CARL Hayman has spoken of his excitement as he prepares to run out against his old Newcastle Falcons team-mates tomorrow night at Kingston Park.

The New Zealand All Black legend has revealed he will form part of Toulon’s match-day 23 for an Amlin Challenge Cup clash which has generated a major buzz in North East rugby circles.

All eyes will be on director of rugby Bernard Laporte’s team announcement at lunchtime today to see whether or not Jonny Wilkinson’s name is one of the three left out for the televised clash.

The England star – and former Falcon – was included in the French outfit’s 26-man travelling group.

Hayman has already revealed his own involvement will extend beyond sitting in the stand, telling The Journal: “I will be strapping the old boots on and getting stuck in at the coal face.”

Making 64 appearances and scoring two tries during his three seasons on Tyneside, the prop-forward is in his second season with the big-spending French club.

He said: “I cannot wait to get back to the Toon.

“It is a place I still love, and we made a lot of great friends in Newcastle.

“I always loved the rugby up there, the people, the city and the surf, although it might be a bit cold for that sort of caper over the weekend.” Leaving temperatures well into double figures on the Mediterranean coast, the contrast will be a marked one for Hayman and his team-mates – with the mercury tipped to be barely above zero for tomorrow’s 7.45pm kick-off.

The 32-year-old added: “We are wandering around in shorts at the moment over here.