Three down for Toulon. The RCT lost in Mayol against Munster 18-29 and suffered another defeat. After a dominated start to the match, when they led 10-0, the Varois completely foiled, multiplying individual errors and letting the Irish knock them out under the leadership of a very inspired Jack Crowley at the opening. With this setback, the fourth in its last five matches, Toulon is getting closer to elimination before the last day. Munster wins with the offensive bonus and revives.
The situation was simple for both teams at kick-off: they had to win in La Rade, to keep their dreams of the final phase alive. Toulon, last in the group after two defeats as short as they were frustrating against Exeter and the Saints, settled into the Irish camp quickly. At the start of the match polluted by hand faults, aggression took precedence over accuracy, and it was through the kicking play of Melvyn Jaminet against the poles, following a good scratch from David Ribbans, that the RCT found a first fault (16th).
Crowley responds to Wainiqolo
The Varois remained aggressive to push Munster to play on foot and return the balls. This allowed Jiuta Wainiqolo to light the first fuse of this meeting. Starting from his 22, the Fijian winger went back 60 meters, killing three opponents with his support, before serving Duncan Paia’aua for the solo try (10-0, 23rd).
But the Toulonnais then eased off and let Munster show their realism to exploit their only two highlights and go in front before the break. After a penalty from Crowley (28th), the RCT let Alex Nankivell exploit the destructive impact of Calvin Nash (31st). Then Simon Zebo took advantage of a small pass over the top from Crowley full axis, to punish Toulon’s lack of coverage (13-17, 37th). Despite a favorable occupation and a lower number of penalties conceded (2 against 5), the Var returned to the break 4 points behind under a few whistles from the Mayol bays.
Selevasio Tolofua (Toulon) in battle against Munster in the Champions Cup, January 13, 2024
Credit: Getty Images
Toulon stunned at the hour mark
Returning from the locker room, Irish realism struck again, with new inspiration coming from Crowley, logically elected man of the match. The opener found Thomas Ahern with a nice diagonal, the 2nd line resisted Dan Biggar and flattened into a corner to make the gap (13-22, 48th). Summoned to react, the Varois regained some success despite a few cartridges still wasted. At the end of a sequence of messy passes, Jaminet managed a nice chistera to exploit the surplus and serve Cornell Du Preez on the wing (18-22, 54th).
Invigorated by this test, the RCT regained its intensity, before the unexpected coup de grace. Not wary enough when receiving a kick, Jaminet did not see Calvin Nash rushing in and stealing the ball from under his nose to go alone for the try (18-29, 59th). Stunned by the scenario, the Toulonnais fell back into their faults, multiplying bad choices and errors in set phases of play to let Munster occupy the field until the siren and win calmly.
With this third setback in as many matches, Toulon sinks to last place in group 3 and obscures any European future. Munster, on the other hand, climbs to third place thanks to this improved success and can hope to make the cut. The RCT will have to save its campaign in Glasgow, Munster will host the Saints, leaders.