Wallabies star Quade Cooper says Ben Barba must immerse himself in the French culture if he's to be a success in his code-switch with Toulon.
Barba stunned the NRL this week when he announced his move to Toulon while still serving a suspension from rugby league due to a positive drug test following Cronulla's maiden premiership victory last year.
The Sharks recently re-signed the former Canterbury and Brisbane back but the NRL was still to register his contract, allowing Toulon to swoop.
Speaking ahead of his third professional boxing fight as part of the undercard to Danny Green vs Anthony Mundine II in Adelaide, Cooper, who enjoyed a 12-month stint with Toulon, said he was looking forward to seeing what Barba could do in the 15-man game.
"I'm pretty excited about seeing Benny play rugby and especially over at Toulon, I've still got a soft spot for Toulon in my heart," Cooper told ESPN.
"I think the only advice I can give him is to enjoy his time over there, immerse himself in the culture, learn the language and get as much as he can out of the experience that he's got ahead of him."
Asked where Barba may play in the backline, Cooper offered two potential options.
"I probably see him the No.15 or even playing at outside centre," Cooper said. "That's a position where he'll get his hands on the ball as much as possible and he'll be able to show his attacking flair."
It was rumoured Barba could make his Toulon debut as early as next weekend's Brisbane Global Tens, but the Australian Rugby Union blocked that move on Thursday due to his drug suspension from the NRL.
Asked if he had any interest in playing at the Tens, Cooper offered a swift "no".
But he was adamant his bout with unknown Jack McInnes was good preparation for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
"Obviously the fitness side of it and the mental side of it," Cooper said of the benefits of boxing. "But also just for me, when you don't want to train after you've finished football training and you go into a boxing gym, it's one of the toughest types of training you can do.
"And I think mentally it's put me in a good space and given me something outside of rugby that I'm passionate about, so whenever I do get back and train for football I'm always excited and looking forward to the season."
Join our Live and Interactive blog of the entire card on Friday evening featuring world No. 10-light-heavyweight Trent Broadhurst, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Andrew Moloney, unbeaten in 11 pro fights, Kostya Tszyu's son, Tim, who won his professional debut last month, and Wallabies rugby star Quade Cooper, who has won his only two pro fights. Watch the card Live and Exclusive on Main Event from 7pm AEDT.