The Var began their European campaign this Sunday with a defeat against the Scots (33-20).
Bad operation for the RCT. Toulon in fact lost this Sunday in Scotland against the Scots from Edinburgh (33-20), on the first day of the Champions Cup. Despite a good start to the match with a double from scrum half Ben White (5th, 20th), the Var conceded three tries through Schoeman (13th), Vellacoot (28th) and another from a penalty (59th). Before finally giving in, in the last moments, and conceding another try by Venter (74th).
However, everything was going well for the Toulonnais on the synthetic turf of the Hive Stadium. After a drop from Melvyn Jaminet, scrum half Ben White quickly scored the first try of the match (6th) to launch his team. The Scottish international even doubled the lead a few minutes later (21st), confirming the domination of his team despite heavy rain and a Scottish team in contact.
Skip the ad
It was from the half hour mark that things turned around after a try conceded following poor defensive coverage near the touchline. Edinburgh took the opportunity to get their hands on the ball and take a one-point advantage before the break (18-17). Nothing was over yet but Pierre Mignoni’s men gradually lost control in the second half. They were dominated in many areas of play and never managed to appear dangerous in the opposing half.
Neither the playing conditions nor the premature exit of Melvyn Jaminet due to injury (22nd) helped the RCT, and two new errors complicated the task of the three-time European champion team (2013, 2014 and 2015). David Ribbans received a yellow card for a brutal blow to the face of an opponent (58th), just two minutes after a failed outing from Baptiste Serin on his goal line which offered the Scots a penalty try during the following scrum.
The Rugby Club Toulonnais was then cornered in its camp until the final whistle, helpless and undisciplined against an Edinburgh team in control to win the offensive bonus point. Pierre Mignoni’s players will try to get back on track next Sunday (4:15 p.m.) against the English from Bath. Before facing Munster in Mayol in January and traveling to Gloucester.
