Kris Chesney is looking forward to an emotional return to Saracens after his new club were drawn to face them in the European Challenge Cup.

The Sarries stalwart ended 14 years with the Men in Black this summer after agreeing to join big-spending Toulon and the French club were paired, alongside Castres and Rugby Rovigo, with them this week.

Chesney said: "I had a wry smile when I found out the news. After the Northampton game when Saracens could not qualify for the Heineken Cup, I said I bet they are drawn against Toulon.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back, it will be very interesting and emotional. I guess it will feel quite weird coming up against them.

"One of the reasons I moved abroad was because I didn't want to play against Saracens for another Premiership club. But because of the luck of the draw I will end up playing them anyway. I always loved playing at Vicarage Road and it was like a second home for me."

Chesney is excited about his move abroad where he will team up with Jonny Wilkinson under the former Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre.

"This is the first time I have moved after 14 years with Saracens," he said. "But it's very exciting and my family are fully behind me. It is a lovely part of the world and a beautiful spot in the south of France. Now my challenge is to get into the side."

Looking back on his memorable career with Saracens, Chesney said: "I have played with some legends like Richard Hill at the club. I'm lucky I have been able to play alongside them and the Heineken Cup semi-final was another highlight. These memories will never go away."

The 35-year-old, who moves to France today recently completed a charity kayaking trip with some past and present Saracens players and coaches. The group, which featured Hill, Andy Farrell, Matt Cairns and Kevin Sorrell, completed a 267km journey through the Norwegian fjords in four-and-a-half days.

Chesney added: "That was tremendously hard, probably the hardest thing we've had to do but it was also very rewarding. We spent up to 12 hours in a kayak each day and it was both a mental and physical challenge.

"When we went past where Bristol got to last year in our third day that was a nice milestone for us."

The challenge has helped raise more than £5,000 for the PRA Benevolent Fund and Saracens Sports Foundation. To donate log on to www.justgiving.com/saracensfjordchallenge