Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton believes his team can kick-start their Champions Cup pool campaign when they face Toulon in France on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Ireland international, whose side lost their opening two matches against Wasps and Bath, now travel to Stade Felix Mayol.

Leo Cullen's men desperately need a win and also to do the job on home soil against the same opposition next week if they are to progress, with their influential number ten's performance set to be pivotal in how they fare.

"It's as much about stopping their strengths as exposing them," Sexton told EPC Rugby's website about how they will take on the champions.

"They're very strong at a lot of things. At the breakdown, they have got numerous guys like Duane Vermeulen, Steffon Armitage and in the backs Mathieu Bastareaud and even guys in the wide channels like Bryan Habana, who's very good over the ball. That will be important for us and something we will put a lot of emphasis on.

"Wasps found a few weaknesses. They are beatable. They've been beaten lots of times. They are obviously an outstanding team and they're not three times in-a-row European Cup champions for nothing. They're outstanding. We're going to have to be on top of our game to be in with a shout."

Despite a disappointing start to the Champions Cup, Leinster have improved week by week in the PRO12 which encourages Sexton ahead of Sunday's difficult fixture.

"We're five games into the post-World Cup. That's essentially the start of our season. We let ourselves down against Wasps in lots of areas. We were a hell of a lot better against Bath. We let ourselves down in one or two areas and that cost us the game," he added.

"But in terms of turning up on the day, I think we did that. Against Ulster, we were probably better again. Hopefully, we're still building."