Fourth shot at Challenge Cup glory for Toulon

Fourth shot at Challenge Cup glory for Toulon

With RC Toulon set to take on Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup final in Marseille on May 27, here's a look back at their previous three appearances in the competition’s showpiece game.

2010: Cardiff Blues 28 RC Toulon 21

Toulon’s first Challenge Cup final ended in defeat to Cardiff after a pulsating game at Stade Vélodrome – the same venue as this season’s final.

Toulon led 13-6 at half-time thanks to Sonny Bill Williams’ try and two Jonny Wilkinson penalties, with Cardiff staying in touch through three-pointers from Leigh Halfpenny and Ben Blair.

The influential Wilkinson went off injured early in the second half and Cardiff capitalised as Jamie Roberts, Halfpenny and then Bradley Davies dotted down in a 20-minute flurry.


Thomas Sourice crossed for Toulon late on to narrow the deficit, but Cardiff held on to become the first Welsh side to lift a European title.



     
     
     

2012: Biarritz Olympique 21 RC Toulon 18

Toulon suffered another gut-wrenching defeat two years later as they were edged out by domestic rivals Biarritz at Twickenham Stoop.

In a tense affair, Dimitri Yachvili kicked all 21 points for Biarritz while the boot of Jonny Wilkinson was responsible for Toulon’s 18.

Yachvili slotted four penalties to Wilkinson’s three in the first half to see Biarritz narrowly ahead at the break, and the duo exchanged two more kicks apiece early in the second half, Toulon, who had survived a short period with 13 men after yellow cards for Carl Hayman and Steffon Armitage, then drew level at 18-18 on 65 minutes as Wilkinson nailed a superb drop-goal.

But Yachvili held his nerve to kick another penalty eight minutes later as Biarritz lifted the Challenge Cup trophy for the first time.

2020: Bristol Bears 32 RC Toulon 19

A third Challenge Cup final defeat came in 2020 as Toulon were blown away by a rampant Bristol side at Stade Maurice-David.

Callum Sheedy stunned the TOP 14 side as he crossed for try inside 15 seconds, with the fly-half converting and adding a penalty moments later.

Bryce Heem broke clear to dot down and put Toulon on the board on 10 minutes, Louis Carbonel converting and then kicking three penalties to send his side into half-time six points up.

Bristol, who had two tries chalked off by the TMO in the first half, took control after the break as Sheedy booted a further five penalties and Max Malins went over for a brilliantly-taken try.

Toulon’s only points in the second half came from a fourth Carbonel penalty on 52 minutes as they slipped to another frustrating loss.

   
   
 

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