Elsom has signed with Toulon as a medical replacement © Getty Images

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Australia international Rocky Elsom is the latest big-name to join French Top 14 league leaders Toulon.

The former Waratahs and Brumbies flanker has signed as a medical joker to replace Stephane Munoz. It is his second spell in European rugby; he played for Leinster in 2008-09 and was a pivotal figure as the Irish side won their first Heineken Cup.

"I am delighted to be signing for Toulon," he said. "They are a big club, with big ambitions. I know I am here because another player is injured and I will do my best to match his level."

The 30-year-old is into the first year of a contract with Japanese side Kobelco Steelers after leaving the Waratahs midway through last year, but his contact included a clause that allowed him to join a European club between January and June.

In recent years he has been dogged by groin and shoulder injuries, but featured for the Wallabies in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and won the last of his 75 caps for Australia in the 2011 semi-final loss to New Zealand.

As well as leading the Top 14 Toulon are into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup where they will play Leicester Tigers. Head coach Bernard Laporte is hopeful his arrival will lift his team following defeats to Bordeaux-Begles and Castres in recent weeks.

"First things first, he is a very good player," Laporte said. "He has been troubled with injuries, but he has come back from them and his signing will be a good boost for us."