Quotes, Reaction, Stats, and Highlights from Lyon's historic Challenge Cup triumph
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Lyon secured a maiden European trophy beating RC Toulon 30-12 in the EPCR Challenge Cup final on Friday.
A Challenge Cup record of 51,431 fans packed into the Stade Vélodrome and witness Lyon produce a sensational performance handing Toulon a fourth defeat in the final of the competition
Scores from Baptiste Couilloud and Pierre-Louis Barassi, in addition to a penalty try and 10 points from the boot of Leo Berdeu, saw Lyon reign supreme in Marseille.
Toulon were in contention at the break thanks to Baptiste Serin’s try, but they were outclassed in the second half, and the game was up by the time Cheslin Kolbe dotted down late on.
HIGHLIGHTS
Franck Azéma reaction:
“It must be acknowledged that Lyon had a very good performance,” RC Toulon head coach Franck Azéma said.
“They didn’t give us any spaces.
“They attacked us constantly, in all areas of the game, whether in front, behind, in the foot game, the occupation. We were constantly late.
“We have been less dominant in the bitterness that we can put into the fight. Rugby is a game of pressure, you either exert it or you suffer it.
“Tonight (Friday), we suffered it. When you’re a competitor, you can’t be satisfied with that. It’s frustrating because the trip was beautiful but the end is hard.”
Charles Ollivon's reaction:
“We never really got into that final. We were jostled in attack, in defense. I do not have an area to come out of. Physically, we were also a tone below.
“That’s why we didn’t manage to regain the upper hand even though we reacted after the first try. Today (Friday), we didn’t deserve to win. But we would have liked to have another end.”
“Everything has been done this year so that we grow together and go for this victory. There is a lot of happiness and emotions.
“It’s the accomplishment of seven years of work since we went back to the TOP 14. It was important for us to go for a title. We put Lyon on the map of European rugby.”
Captain Jordan Taufua’s reaction:
“We were after a performance we wanted to be proud of,” he said. “We wanted to play good rugby, show LOU rugby to everyone, and also to Toulon. And I thought we did that tonight.
“They stepped up on defence when it counted and [I] can be proud of the boys for doing that.
“A lot of people [were] talking about Toulon, but we didn’t talk that much. We just wanted to go to work and show LOU rugby. I thought we did that tonight.”
BIG MOMENT: Niniashvili's error
Lyon ended the first half on top but failed to register as any points as Berdeu sliced a penalty wide before wing Davit Niniashvili saw a try chalked off by the TMO.
The teenager looked to have finished off behind the posts after Couilloud took a penalty quickly and darted into the Toulon 22m, but he slipped a foot onto the dead ball line despite being under no pressure.
A mistake Davit Niniashvili would want to QUICKLY put behind him! 😱
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) May 27, 2022
The Lyon winger has a try ruled out on the stroke of half-time as his foot scrapes the line in the try zone.#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/kog2kNdzCe
That winning feeling 🎉🍻#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/LdjZeFggHt
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 27, 2022
Match report:
Lyon struck first with a try after just eight minutes, but Toulon hit back with a score to level matters at seven apiece after 17 minutes of play. Lyon edged ahead with a penalty midway through the first half, with Toulon missing a shot at goal shortly after. Lyon missed a penalty just before halftime and should have had a try with the final play of the first half, but would have to settle for a slender 10-7 lead at the break. Lyon were awarded a penalty try just five minutes into the second half, with Toulon picking up a yellow card in the process. It went from bad to worse for Toulon, as Lyon crossed for another try shortly after to open up a 24-7 lead with a little over half an hour remaining. Lyon added a penalty just before the hour mark to head into the final quarter with a comfortable 27-7 lead. Lyon picked up a yellow card after 62 minutes, but despite being a player down, slotted another penalty with around ten minutes remaining. Another Lyon yellow card followed, allowing Toulon to run in a consolation score. A historic victory for Lyon who are champions in Europe for the very first time.
Top Player Stats:
Running metres
173 - Davit Niniashvili
116 - Baptiste Couilloud
90 - Aymeric Lu
82 - Leo Berdeu
67 - Cheslin Kolbe
Defenders Beaten
10 - Davit Niniashvili
6 - Jiuta Wainiqolo
5 - Cheslin Kolbe
4 - Duncan Paia'aua, Leo Berdeu
Clean breaks
2 - Davit Niniashvili, Toby Arnold
1 - Leo Berdeu, Duncan Paia'aua, Louis Carbonel, Jordan Taufua, Christopher Tolofua
Carries
11 - Christopher Tolofua
10 - Cheslin Kolbe, Baptiste Couilloud
8 - Davit Niniashvili, Toby Arnold, Leo Berdeu, Louis Carbonel, Jordan Taufua
Offloads
3 - Davit Niniashvili
2 - Pierre-Louis Barassi
Tackles made
12 - Charles Ollivon
11 - Joel Kpoku
9 - Pierre-Louis Barassi
8 - Dylan Cretin, Demba Bamba, Mickael Ivaldi
Man of the match
Couilloud starred throughout the match at Stade Vélodrome and set Lyon on their way to victory with a try on seven minutes – moments after having another score ruled out by the TMO.
The scrumhalf produced a marvellous performance overall with a swift passing game, accurate kicking outing and managed to beat three defenders.
The 24-year-old was superb on attack racking up 116 running metres and completed an offload.
16. Mickael Ivaldi, 17. Hamza Kaabèche, 18. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19. Felix Lambey, 20. Loann Goujon, 21. Jean-Marc Doussain, 22. Colby Fainga'a, 23. Xavier Mignot
Replacements:
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