European Challenge Cup: Worcester Warriors 23-34 RC Toulon
- Published
Winger Gabin Villiere celebrates his try as Toulon secured victory at Sixways
European Challenge Cup Pool A |
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Worcester: (9) 23 |
Tries: Van der Merwe, Doel Cons: Smith 2 Pens: Smith 3 |
Toulon: (17) 34 |
Tries: Du Preez, Isa, Villiere, Gigashvili Cons: Belleau 4 Pens: Belleau 2 |
Worcester remain winless in the Challenge Cup after losing to Toulon, who ran in four tries at Sixways.
Fin Smith kicked Warriors into an early lead before tries from Worcester old boy Cornell du Preez and Facundo Isa put Toulon 17-9 up at half-time.
Winger Gabin Villiere stole in for a third and Beka Gigashvili crashed over for the bonus-point try after an hour.
Warriors reduced the gap through tries from Duhan van der Merwe and Harri Doel but left themselves too much to do.
Worcester now lie fourth in the five-team Pool A with just three points from three games, the second of which, at home to Biarritz, was postponed prior to Christmas and was this week adjudicated as a two-points-per-side draw.
Toulon climb to the top, above unbeaten Newcastle, as well as Biarritz, having taken maximum points from their first two fixtures.
Worcester were dealt a blow when they lost loosehead prop Marc Thomas, making his first appearance in seven weeks after a foot injury. He lasted only 23 minutes before being stretchered off to be replaced by Ethan Waller.
Smith knocked over a third penalty when play resumed to make it 9-3 but Toulon went ahead shortly after the half hour when Du Preez powered over from a lineout drive.
The three-times Champions Cup winners were turning the screw and another lineout led to Argentine number eight Isa crossing the whitewash to put Toulon 17-9 up at the break.
Belleau stretched the lead from the tee four minutes into the second half before Villiere dotted down on the blind side following a scrum.
The bonus point arrived on the hour through another lineout drive finished by Gigashvili, but Warriors quickly hit back with a try of their own through Scotland and Lions wing Van der Merwe, which was converted by Smith to make it 34-16.
Doel, only playing when Perry Humphreys withdrew after returning a positive COVID-19 test, then showed great pace to race over and reduce the gap further with 12 minutes remaining, but Toulon held firm.
Worcester: Shillcock; Doel, O Morris, Venter (co-capt), van der Merwe; Smith, Simpson; Thomas, Annett, Judge, Garvey, Batley, Hatherell, Hill (co-capt), Kvesic.
Replacements: Baldwin, Waller, McCallum, Clegg, Vailanu, Lewis, Chudley, Beck.
Toulon: Luc; Wainiqolo, R Rebbadj, Laborde, Villière; Belleau, Serin; Gros, Sosene, Brookes, S Rebbadj, Timani, Du Preez, Lakafia, Isa.
Replacements: Etrillard, Fresia, Gigashvili, Roux, Ory, Smaili, Blanc, Cordin.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland).