The Champions Cup clash on December 15, 2024, between the RC Toulon and the Glasgow Warriors was anything but predictable, drawing fans to the Stade Félix-Mayol for a heated encounter. Kicking off at 16:15, this match marked the second round of Pool D and was broadcast live on France 3 and beIN SPORTS 3. With both teams coming off solid wins from their first games, expectations were high.
RC Toulon opened their Champions Cup campaign with a remarkable performance against the Stormers, securing a 24-14 victory on South African soil—making history as the first European team to win on South African turf during Champions Cup pool play. Their solid form extended to the Top 14, where they found themselves fourth after 11 matches. On the other side, Glasgow enjoyed their first match success as well, trouncing Sale Sharks 38-19 on their home ground, which placed them second in the United Rugby Championship.
The atmosphere was electric at Mayol, especially considering the previous matchup between these two teams. The last encounter had seen Glasgow dominate, winning 29-5 back in January of the same year.
Fans were eager to see how Toulon would perform against such formidable opposition, especially with their relatively short squad. The lineup for Toulon featured Domon at full-back, supported by wings Wainiqolo and Villière. The midfield boasted Sinzelle and Fainga’anuku, with Garbisi at fly-half and the experienced Serin at scrum-half. The front row had Priso, Baubigny, and Sinckler, reinforced by Ribbans and Alainu’uese as locks. The flanker positions were held down by Ollivon, the captain, along with Isa and Ludlam.
Meanwhile, Glasgow's lineup saw Mckay donning the number 15 shirt, with Dobie and Tuipulotu (captain) supporting him on the wings, and Weir orchestrated play at fly-half. The back row included Darge, Mann, and Venter, benefiting from the experience of Talakai, Hiddleston, and Oguntibeju among others.
The match began at pace, with Toulon opening the scoring early through Fainga’anuku, who capitalized on strong teamwork to score the first try just six minutes in, bringing the score to 5-0 after Serin's successful conversion. Glasgow responded effectively, with their initial phases dominating possession and eventually earning a penalty try as Toulon struggled with several penalties, leveling the score at 7-7.
It was not the first time Toulon’s disciplined approach faced challenges, as they faced double numerical inferiority later during the first half when both Serin and Ludlam received yellow cards. This situation allowed Glasgow to make strides, with Mckay adding another try just before halftime, swinging the momentum to the Scots, who led 13-12 at the break.
After the intermission, both teams continued to display tactical play. Toulon quickly reclaimed the lead with Fainga’anuku scoring again shortly after the break, making it 18-12. But Glasgow responded yet again. A powerful forward movement saw their second-row Oguntibeju score, narrowing the margin with 20-15.
Throughout the second half, tense moments followed, with Toulon holding onto their narrow leads but failing to convert defensive opportunities. Baptiste Serin, playing smart, kept his composure at the posts, showcasing astute kicking, maintaining Toulon’s lead at multiple junctions.
With the clock winding down, the intensity escalated. Glasgow, pressing hard, managed to score again with Matthews dotting down for what would be their bonus point try. The match closed at 30-29, offering much drama right to the final whistle.
Following this close contest, Toulon was delighted with the win, making it five victories across all competitions, and taking the top spot of Pool D. For Glasgow, who secured two bonus points, there was still pride to be claimed, showcasing their tenacity by staying within reach of victory.
Coach Pierre Mignoni of Toulon expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance post-match, emphasizing their strong start to the Champions Cup and highlighting the importance of maintaining momentum. Meanwhile, Franco Smith, coach of Glasgow, recognized the grit of his players and the resilience they showed, even if they fell just short of the win.
This match highlights the unpredictability of the Champions Cup as the tournament progresses. Both RC Toulon and Glasgow Warriors proved they are serious contenders, setting the stage for more thrilling fixtures down the road. The campaign is only just beginning, with the subsequent rounds promising to electrify rugby fans across Europe.
