Toulon eased past Lyon 48-23 in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, scoring seven tries, including one gifted to Aymeric Luc by Thibaut Regard in the closing stages.
Toulon dominated proceedings, with their maul proving their biggest weapon against their fellow Top 14 outfit.
However, Lyon did make it easy for the hosts at times with several rookie errors, including this one from Regard when the result was well beyond their reach.
Toulon led 41-23 in the final five minutes of the game and had an attacking lineout just outside the Lyon 22.
Dan Biggar launched the attack from the lineout, performing a Sexton-esque loop before flinging the ball out to Waisea Nayacalevu.
The Fijian centre stabbed a kick through with Regard tracking back to cover for Lyon.
In an attempt to volley the ball, Regard’s attempted clearance turned into more of a soft pass for Toulon winger Luc.
He scooped up the ball and simply flopped over the line, punishing Lyon for Regard’s blunder.
🫣 Oh no! #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/rccrOY8STf
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) April 8, 2023
It was a crushing defeat for Lyon, who were the defending Challenge Cup champions.
Toulon speedster Jiuta Wainiqolo scored twice in the victory, with Teddy Baubigny, Dany Priso, Waisea Vuidravuwalu, and Charles Ollivon all crossing the whitewash.
Baptiste Couilloud and Toby Arnold crossed for Lyon, but it was one-way traffic in the end.
Baptiste Serin earned the player-of-the-match award. The scrum-half set up a try after taking a penalty quickly and kicking through for Wainiqolo to chase, with the Fijian winning the race to the ball.
Serin also made an incredible break from his try line and kicked from just shy of halfway to complete a remarkable 50:22.
🤯 BIG play from Baptiste Serin!
A Toulon 5m out from his own line results in a lineout in Lyon's 22, which the pack scores from! 🔥#RCTLOU #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/MQ3PTwnzuM
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 8, 2023
From the resulting lineout, the Toulon pack charged towards the line with a powerful rolling maul that resulted in Baubigny’s try.
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