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Alex Hearle, the Worcester Warriors wing, breaks clear
Worcester Warriors will try to halt a 10-match winning sequence by RC Toulon in the pool stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the knockout ties from Pool A.
Worcester currently lie fourth in the five-team table and have played a game more than two of the sides above them, including Toulon, whose average margin of victory in those 10 games has been 19 points.
Other key facts:
- The two sides have never met before in European competition; in fact, the Warriors are the only current Premiership team Toulon have never faced in Europe.
- Worcester have lost their last two home games in the Challenge Cup but have lost more in succession only twice before – three in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
- RC Toulon have made an average 148 carries per game in the Challenge Cup this season, more than any other team. However, Worcester Warriors average the most metres per carry (8.4 to Toulon’s 4.8).
- Toulon scrum-half Baptiste Serin made 80 passes during his Round 2 game against Zebre Parma, the most for a player in a Challenge Cup game this season.
🗣 "I hope the crowd can enjoy it as much as we will."@JamieShillcock looks forward to welcoming Champions Cup winners Toulon to Sixways for the first time in a huge European clash on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/xHZo5oTOK7
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) January 12, 2022
Quotes:
Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas: “Toulon will be excited to be back playing again and, from what we hear, they are likely to come here fully loaded. So the prospect of facing a fully-loaded Toulon side at Sixways is an exciting one for us and our supporters.”
Lopeti Timani scores for Toulon
RC Toulon recorded a 34-23 victory at Worcester Warriors in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday to make it two wins from two in Pool A.
Fly-half Fin Smith kicked three penalties to hand Worcester an early lead at Sixways Stadium, with Toulon counterpart Anthony Belleau – who tallied 14 points on the evening – slotting a solitary three-pointer for the visitors.
But Toulon flanker Cornell Du Preez went over with half an hour played and No.8 Facundo Isa then crossed six minutes later as the three-time European champion took control of the contest.
They gave it everything in the second half, but in the end @RCTofficiel proved too much for @WorcsWarriors 👊
🎥 #ChallengeCupRugby highlights 👇 pic.twitter.com/Eh19uEsKPN
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 15, 2022
Belleau nudged another penalty for Toulon after the break before winger Gabin Villiere and lock Lopeti Timan both dotted down to extend their lead further.
Worcester threatened to produce a comeback as wingers Duhan Van Der Merwe and Harri Doel both crossed in quick succession, the latter’s score coming with over 10 minutes to play.
Toulon held on, however, and head into their Round 4 clash at home to Newcastle Falcons next weekend hoping for a third straight win in this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup.
Worcester meanwhile will continue their search for a first victory in Pool A as they travel to Zebre Parma.
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