Stronger in all areas of the game, the Toulonnais did not tremble against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday evening in Dublin (43-19).
Toulon finally holds its small European Cup. The RCT won the Challenge Cup final, dominating Scottish club Glasgow (43-19), at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday 19 May. Carried by a twirling Baptiste Serin in the first period, before leaving on injury, the Toulonnais struck quickly and signed an offensive demonstration. The Varois won their first trophy in the competition, after four failures in the final. Eight years after their last victory in the Champions Cup, they also become the first French team to win both European cups.
This time, the Toulonnais did not miss the opportunity. Quickly punished after delicate starts to matches in their last two European finals, this time they proved to be the most solid to strike first and open the scoring after barely six minutes of play, thanks to a try from Baptiste Serin.
Serin as conductor
In the legs, the Toulon scrum-half was the great architect of the Var victory. At the wand to distribute the game, he also ensured the kicks after the exit of Dan Biggar on concussion protocol from the third minute. Author of two tries and a decisive pass for Sergio Parisse (19th), he guided his team’s very good first period, returning to the locker room with three goals on the clock and without having conceded a single point.
His exit on injury at half-time, and the numerous concussion protocols, left a shiver of fear in the Toulon camp, but the RCT continued on their good dynamic in the second act. Still in control, they scored three additional tries thanks to nice numbers from Jiuta Wainiqolo (57th), Nayacalevu Waisea (64th) and Ihaia West (78th).
Pioneers of French rugby
Thanks to this success, the Toulonnais are finally reconciled with the small European Cup, after thirteen years of tumultuous history. Before the happiness of Dublin, they had experienced four failures in the final (2010, 2012, 2020, 2022). At Aviva Stadium, emotion and smiles have replaced sadness. “We are so happy to be together and to play these wonderful matches, for this group, for the supporters”reacted Chelsin Kolbe, moved to tears, at the microphone of France Télévisions.
Crowned with gold, the men of Franck Azéma and Pierre Mignoni enter a little more into the history of European rugby by becoming the first French team to win the two European cups. “The club had won a lot in some years, it was hard to put things back in place”appreciated the Toulon captain Charles Ollivon. “We realize the effort it has been, we savor even more.” Eight years after their last Champions Cup title, the circle is complete.