After four defeats in the Challenge Cup final, Toulon will try to finally win this European title against Glasgow on Friday evening (9 p.m.) and thus raise their heads at the end of the season.
And if, it was at the end the good year for the RCT? Winner of the prestigious Champions Cup three times (from 2013 to 2015), Toulon did not, however, experience the same success in the Challenge Cup. Indeed, in four finals (in 2010, 2012, 2020 and 2022), the Var club has each time experienced defeat while the title was at hand. This Friday evening (at 9 p.m.), the team led by the duo Franck Azéma and Pierre Mignoni will therefore have the opportunity to put an end to this terrible series and sign a new success on the European scene.
For this, the Red and Blacks will have to win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin against the Glasgow Warriors, in search of a first big title in the history of Scottish rugby. “It will be a life and death match”has already warned the 2nd line Richie Gray, passed in particular by Toulouse.
Toulon, forever the first in France?
For its part, Toulon could also join a very closed club in the event of victory. Because, for the time being, only four teams have already won the two European competitions, namely Bath, Leinster, Northampton and Wasps. It would therefore be a first for a French club.
Moreover, with qualification for the Top 14 finals looking heavily in jeopardy ahead of the final day, RCT could salvage their season by winning the Challenge Cup, which would see the club qualify for the Champions Cup next year. next. “Dwelling on the past is never very good. Lost finals are not an emotional factor at all. It’s completely different. We are focused on this final to win it.explained Baptiste Serin, at a press conference.
The composition of Glasgow: O. Smith – Chancellor, H. Jones, Tuipulotu, Steyn (cap.) – (o) Miotti, (m) Horne – Vailanu, Dempsey, M. Fagerson – Cummings, JP Du Preez – Z. Fagerson, F. Brown, Bhatti
The substitutes: Matthews, McBeth, Berghan, R. Gray, Bean, Darge, Price, McDowall
The composition of Toulon: Kolbe – Wainiqolo, Waisea, Paia’aua, Villière – (o) Biggar, (m) Serin – Ollivon (cap.), Parisse, Du Preez – Alainu’uese, Tanguy – Gigashvili, Baubigny, Priso
The substitutes: C. Tolofua, Gros, Brookes, Isa, Bastareaud, Paillaugue, West, Sinzelle
