Toulon reacted in style. Indeed, after being powerless last week in Toulouse (24-59), the RCT recovered well this Saturday afternoon against Lyon (54-21), during the 9th day of the Top 14. In Mayol, after a tribute to André Herrero before the start of the match, the locals quickly took matters in hand. Because, if Paddy Jackson scored the first points of the match (0-3, 4th), Dany Priso is the first to have flattened behind the line (7-3, 6th).
Still in contact, the LOU then believed to sow doubt in the heads of Var when Jiuta Wainiqolo intercepted a pass a few meters from his in-goal before going for the try… but he was finally flagged offside and took a yellow card (23rd). In the process, Brian Alainu’uese scored Toulon’s second try (14-3), a hard blow that the visitors were unable to digest afterwards.
The RCT on the podium next week?
Because, if Jackson (30th) and Gabin Lorre from afar (33rd) allowed the Rhone residents to reduce the gap, Teddy Baubigny scored his team’s third try before the break (21-9, 38th). At the start of the second half, a foul by Thomas Moukoro during a highlight of the RCT was costly for Lyon, who were given a penalty try and a yellow card for this action (28-9, 48th). Behind, Setariki Tuicuvu (51st), Charles Ollivon (61st), Mathis Ferté (72nd) and a second penalty try (77th) allowed Toulon to win largely.
Opposite, the tests of Wainiqolo (69th) and Ethan Dumortier (74th) did not change much because the RCT therefore obtained an improved success which allows it to temporarily climb to 3rd place in the ranking while waiting for the other matches of this 9th day of the Top 14. Next Saturday, against La Rochelle (the match counting for the 3rd day had been postponed due to bad weather), Pierre Mignoni’s players will have a hard time the opportunity to settle on the podium. Conversely, Lyon remains close to the red zone, although with a good lead over Montauban (13th).
