Toulon Rugby Club triumphed over Perpignan with a decisive score of 40-19 during a crucial Top 14 match on March 22, 2025, at Stade Mayol. This victory not only reinforced Toulon's formidable home record but also temporarily secured them second place in the league standings, just ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles, pending their match against Toulouse on Sunday.
Before the match commenced, emotions ran high as the crowd remembered Nicolas Haddad, a young player who tragically lost his life last week due to a head injury. Jean-Baptiste Gros, playing his 100th match for Toulon, was also celebrated, marking a significant moment for both the player and the club.
The match kicked off with Melvyn Jaminet returning to the field for Toulon after a long absence of 280 days, making an immediate impact by scoring a penalty in the 11th minute to start the scoring for his team. Shortly after, he added another penalty, capitalizing on Perpignan’s early mistakes.
Perpignan's Valentin Delpy answered Jaminet’s efforts with a penalty of his own, drawing the game level briefly. However, Toulon soon began to dominate. Facundo Isa scored the first try of the match in the 31st minute after a well-executed maul, which Jaminet successfully converted.
Despite challenges in the scrum, Perpignan showed grit, with Giorgi Tetrashvili receiving a yellow card for repeated infractions—testament to the pressure Toulon applied. The teams exchanged penalties as the first half drew to a close, with Toulon leading 16-9 at halftime.
The second half saw Toulon further capitalize on their momentum. Jaminet, showcasing his skills, kicked another penalty just after the break, extending the lead as tightening weather added complexity to the contest. It didn't take long before Rayan Rebbadj crossed the line for Toulon, scoring another try in the 52nd minute, showcasing Toulon's remarkable passing and strategic play.
Perpignan, however, was not to be wholly dismissed. They briefly rallied, spurred on by Joaquin Oviedo’s powerful try in the 71st minute, which Tom Ecochard converted, giving the visiting crowd flickers of hope as they trimmed the deficit to 33-19.
With just minutes remaining, and Toulon at a disadvantage due to Ben White's yellow card, the clock wound down, creating tension as Perpignan pushed for further gains. But in what can only be described as a classic Toulon display of patience and perseverance, the team found their moment. Jaminet made a last beautiful crossing into the try zone in the dying moments, scoring his try in injury time (80+2 minutes), which he also converted, bringing his tally for the match to an impressive 25 points.
This victory proved pivotal for Toulon, lifting them to second place in the Top 14 standings with 63 points, edging ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles who will be looking to reclaim their spot in their match against Toulouse. Perpignan, on the other hand, remains second-to-last, struggling to find form after claiming only 30 points, marking their third consecutive loss.
