The French superstars ran in seven tries in all to extend their winning run to five games in Pool 6 and ensure they will reach the last eight even if they lose to closest rivals Montpellier next weekend.

There is a mathematical chance of Montpellier overtaking the Pool leaders if they can score an avalanche of tries and points to avenge their 37-16 defeat in round one, but that is a big ‘if’ against the current top team in France.

The Blues were seeking their first win in the Pool and got off to a flying start. Leigh Halfpenny proved he is back to full fitness in time for Wales’ Six Nations title defence by kicking a second minute penalty and then crossing for a try that gave the visitors a first quarter lead of eight points.

That was it for the Welsh region, however, as Jonny Wilkinson orchestrated a massive response from his Toulon team that saw them score 45 unanswered points to clinch the vital bonus point and hammer out a reminder to the rest of Europe that they mean business in the Heineken Cup this season.

Tries from Rudi Wulf, Xavier Chiocci and Jean-Charels Orioli, two of which Wilkinson converted, made it 19-8 at the break and it took less than three minutes after the re-start for French international centre Maxime Mermoz to grab the bonus point try.

The Blues defended bravely, but they were never able to build on their fast and impressive start. The points piled up for Toulon as Alexis Pallison, man of the match Mathieu Bastaraud and replacement prop Florian Fresia crossed for further tries.

With the game over, Toulon got sloppy at the death and the Blues showed their character by scoring 17 unanswered points in the closing 14 minutes. Wales wing Alex Cuthbert dived over in the right corner after a great pass by Jamie Roberts created space for him and then Roberts replacement, Dafydd Hewitt rolled over.

The game then ended as it had begun with Halfpenny scoring a wonder try from long range and adding the conversion from in front of the posts.