Updated March 06, 2017 09:28:22

Photo: Ben Barba has made his first appearance for French rugby union club Toulon. (AAP: Dean Lewins, File)

Ben Barba has made his French rugby union debut for Toulon, coming on late in the Top 14 club's loss to Brive.

The former Cronulla NRL full-back came on in the 76th minute, replacing Alesana Tuilagi on the wing in the 15-5 defeat at Stade Amedee Domenech in Brive.

Barba, who left Australia amid uncertainty over his NRL future after a second positive illicit drugs test, made two tackles in the match.

The 27-year-old was selected on Toulon's bench in the number 21 jersey following countryman James O'Connor's one-week suspension for alleged cocaine possession.

Barba joined Australia international and Toulon full-back Drew Mitchell on the field at Brive's Stade Amedee-Domenech, also playing alongside rugby superstars Ma'a Nonu and Bryan Habana.

Regular full-back Leigh Halfpenny missed the match due to international Six Nations duties with Wales.

Barba was initially expected to be forced to wait possibly until 2018 to make his Toulon debut given his limited experience in the 15-man game.

But his efforts at training have impressed coach Mike Ford.

After the match, it was all smiles as Barba posed with Mitchell for an Instagram post.

The result leaves Toulon in fifth place on the Top 14 table.

AAP

Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport, rugby-union, france

First posted March 06, 2017 08:56:32