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Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
Stephen Myler, London Irish's leading points-scorer in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this season
London Irish, beaten 37-17 at RC Toulon last weekend, have a quick chance of revenge when they host the French club in Pool 2 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Saturday.
The English Premiership side have lost only three of their last 23 home Challenge Cup games against TOP 14 opposition
Key facts
- Toulon have won all three of their meetings with London Irish in European competition.
- The French side have won only 72 per cent of their line-outs in the Challenge Cup this season, the joint lowest rate of any side.
- Toulon’s Facundo Isa won three turnovers last weekend, more than any other player in Round 3.
📹 | REACTION: Despite the result not going the Exiles' way on Saturday, @theobrophclews was pleased with his sides performance and is looking forward to playing Toulon again at home this weekend.
🗣 "I'm really proud of the boys' efforts."
🎟 👉 https://t.co/Ry1ZCUTzDE pic.twitter.com/B8ZURI5pJV
— London Irish (@LiRFC) December 9, 2019
Toulon made it four wins from four in European Challenge Cup Pool 2 by coming out on top in an entertaining contest with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
Paddy Jackson kicked an early penalty for Irish, before Anthony Belleau struck twice from the tee in reply. It was the Exiles who crossed the line first through Albert Tuisue, who worked his way over from the base of the scrum, with Jackson converting.
Belleau soon added two further penalties and Toulon then profited from a yellow card for Ruan Botha as Masivesi Dakuwaqa latched on to a cross-field kick to touch down in the corner on 38 minutes.
It got worse for Irish when Terrence Hepetema was then sin-binned just before the half-time whistle, with the hosts 19-10 behind.
A Jackson penalty after a high tackle reduced the Irish deficit but on the hour Baptiste Serin squeezed over the line for a converted try and Toulon’s victory seemed secure.
Stephane Mbarag’s yellow card for Toulon opened up a slither of hope for the hosts and indeed second-row Barney Maddison flopped over from short range with three minutes left, with Jackson converting, but the Premiership side couldn’t make late pressure count.
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