Champions Cup – Defeated in Glasgow, Toulon are eliminated and will not be transferred to the Challenge Cup
With Toulonnaise having to win to keep their hopes of qualification alive, they eventually sank. Beaten 29-5 by the Scots from Glasgow, Pierre Mignoni’s men will not play in the Champions Cup final. Worse, with this dry loss, they finished last in Pool 4 and will not be able to defend their Challenge Cup title.
For their reunion with the club’s biggest competition, the Rouge et Noire ended their adventure with a fourth defeat at Scotstown Stadium, home to Glasgow Warriors (29-5). Toulon is removed from all continental competitions to the delight of Bayonne. Rowing will, at least, be relegated to the Challenge Cup.
After several years of absence, Toulon were delighted to qualify for the Champions Cup. Setting out with the intention of outplaying the competition, Rouge et Noir, unfortunately, brought joy to their opponents. In the deciding match at Scotstoun Stadium, Baubigny’s partners were unable to keep their hopes of qualification alive. Toulon were caught in a Scottish kilt (29-5) for their reunion with the Warriors, who had a poor performance in the last Challenge Cup final. Jones and Rowe scored twice each.
In Group 3, Toulon finished last with just two points. Glasgow qualified with 10 points. Bayonne (5th, 3 points) is guaranteed a transfer to the Challenge Cup.
Sione Tuipulotu showed his passing talent
In a typically balanced first period, Glasgow were devilishly efficient. Rowe struck first (7-0, 23rd), after a far-off failure at the leg of Smiley (12th). Behind the relay from the forward cell, Tuipulotu put Jones into orbit. The Scottish center held off two opponents before unleashing his winger.
On the second attempt, the Warriors took it and started again. In the game of direction, Bhati served behind Tuipulotu’s back. This time, the Scottish international played a step towards Jones, who made a good run inside (12-0, 31st).
Despite several crosses from Smiley and Drain, Toulon lacked the consistency in their play to really undermine Glasgow. Varois especially suffers physically, losing most skirmishes. And with nothing going well at the moment, Migno’s gang lost Gabin Villiers (34th) to injury. The French international came off with an ankle complaint.
Drain saves honor
On the way back from the locker room, Toulon was fouled on a counterattacking ball. From a cross at Luke’s feet, Tuikuvu made a 30-metre run and was stopped just five meters from goal. On Disha’s play, after percussion from the forwards, Dren was well served on a skipped pass from Hervey (12-5, 48th). An ounce of hope? It was short lived.
With two balls lost in touch, Warois conceded several tries through McKay (19-5, 62nd) and Jones (24-5, 65th). Three minutes that sealed Toulon’s European fate. At the end of the game, facing a despondent Rouge et Noir, Rowe let off the fireworks (29-5, 80th +2). This is the Warriors’ first win against Toulon in five matches. Henceforth, entities struck by thrush will devote themselves to the Top 14. In the next two weeks, it will host La Rochelle and Bordeaux-Bagles in Mayolle. From now on, capital shocks to dream of spring with final stages.
