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Overview
Season so far
Tournament record
Anthony Belleau, RC Toulon's leading points-scorer in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this term with 40
With top spot in Pool 2 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup secured, RC Toulon will turn their attention to sealing a home quarter-final when they host TOP 14 rivals Bayonne on Saturday.
Toulon have won their last 11 home games in the competition, while Bayonne have lost their last nine on the road in the Challenge Cup.
Key facts
- Bayonne lead the Challenge Cup head-to-head with Toulon 2-1, although Toulon triumphed 20-13 in Round 1 last November.
- Toulon have made the most metres from mauls in the competition this season (178) and scored a joint-high number of tries from them with Bristol Bears (6).
- Toulon (59%) and Bayonne (61%) have the worst goalkicking success rate in the tournament this term.
🔜 1/4 de finale 😍 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/C3UjtzCuss
— Baptiste Serin (@Serin_Baptiste) January 13, 2020
Toulon duly completed a clean sweep of six victories with a 50-6 triumph over Bayonne in Pool 2 of the European Challenge Cup to fire a warning to their rivals ahead of the knockout stages.
They struggled to make their extra class tell in the opening half in terms of points but completely dominated the second period and Bayonne had no answer as they ran in a total of eight tries including some bewildering efforts.
Replacement forward Beka Gigashvili bagged himself a brace of tries after the break and there were others for Facundo Isa, Bruce Devaux, Julien Ory and a stunning late effort from elusive winger Gabin Villiere.
👏 #RCTAB #ChallengeCup C'est terminé ! Toulon s’impose 50 à 6 avec le Bonus Offensif face à Bayonne ! Félicitations à nos Rouge et Noir qui recevront les Scarlets à Mayol en Quart de Finale ! ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/pamUYHHO0v
— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) January 18, 2020
Toulon had started the game with a bang as they broke free from their own half in thrilling fashion with Villiere paving the way for full-back Gervais Cordin who cut inside the cover for a brilliant score.
There was worse to follow for Bayonne as powerhouse Fijian winger Masivesi Dakuwaqa brushed off his opposite number and powered down the touchline before feeding New Zealand centre Bryce Heem who added the finishing touch.
Fly-half Louis Carbonel tagged on both conversions as Toulon led 14-0 inside the first quarter and Bayonne were looking out of their depth.
But the visitors showed some resilience in defence and a couple of quickfire penalties from scrum half Emmanuel Saubusse saw them trail by only 14-6 at the interval.
Une première mi-temps pleine d'envie et nos joueurs donneront tout lors de la deuxième mi-temps. 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/DFsqz8In7x
— Aviron Bayonnais (@avironrugbypro) January 18, 2020
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