Toulon flanker Chris Masoe is on the list of players invited to play for the Classic All Blacks against the leading French club he now plays for on October 7. It is chance for Toulon to pay tribute to the late Jerry Collins.

A team of New Zealand rugby stars are set to play in the Northern Hemisphere during October - and they are not the All Blacks.

On Friday it was announced leading French club Toulon will host the Classic All Blacks in the rugby-mad city on October 7, two days before the All Blacks final Rugby World Cup pool match against Tonga in Newcastle.

Played at the home ground of the three-time European Cup champions, the match has been described as a chance for Toulon to pay tribute to past player Jerry Collins, who tragically died along with partner Alana Madill in a car crash in southern France on June 5.

A 48-test All Black, former Wellington flanker Collins collected 22 caps for Toulon during 2008 and 2009 after departing the New Zealand rugby scene.

The Classic All Blacks are selected from former All Black players no longer contracted to New Zealand Rugby and last took the field when they played Fiji in Suva in June, 2013, with Collins playing No 8.

Included among the list of players who will be invited to play for the Classic All Blacks are Toulon flanker Chris Masoe and Neemia Tialata, who were close friends and team-mates of Collins at Wellington, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks.

Toulon players Ali Williams, Carl Hayman and Rudi Wulf and prominent former All Blacks Andrew Hore, Brad Thorn, Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu are also on the list of invitees.

Well-known Toulon owner and president Mourad Boudjellal said the whole region was proud to welcome the Classic All Blacks to Stade Mayol.

Boudjellal said they were looking forward to the chance to remember Collins.

"I am sure the [Classic] All Blacks haka on this day will remember Jerry Collins with great emotion and so will we. Fans from around the world will witness two heavyweight rugby institutions competing against one another in the heart of Toulon."

Toulon communications manager Tom Whitford said the timing of the match was perfect for All Blacks fans.

"It will be a great opportunity for New Zealand fans following the All Blacks to spend a couple of days in the South of France. A perfect recipe for a great rugby occasion and a match I'm sure both teams would like to win."

The Classic All Blacks playing strip will pay tribute to Collins.

AT A GLANCE

Invitees to play for Classic All Blacks against Toulon: Carl Hayman, Ali Williams, Chris Masoe, Rudi Wolfe, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore, Brad Thorne, Adam Thompson, Daniel Braid, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Anthony Tuitavake, Sam Tuitoupou, Neemia Tialata, Simone Taumoepeau, Nick Evans, Tom Donnelly, Jason Eaton, Mike Delaney, Luke McAlister, Richard Kahui, Mils Muliaina.