The Final Frontier

Toulouse, Biarritz, Racing Metro, Munster, Ulster, Clermont Auvergne, Wasps, Northampton. A number of serious challengers all defeated by Saracens in the 47 matches in Europe since their return to the top flight competition in 2011, but, along with Leinster, Toulon is a name conspicuous by its absence, as the 2013 2014 and 2015 winners lock horns with the side looking to emulate them, having gained the upper hand against Sarries in the 2013 semi final and 2014 Cardiff final.

 

Toulon boast that they have never lost at home in Europe, but as with Munster in the Heineken Cup, and Clermont in the Top 14, these records eventually fall, and you get the sense Sarries would relish the challenge even more. Much like their opponents, Toulon took time to reach the domestic and European summit, having being in the second tier in France as recently as 2008. They were beaten twice in the Challenge Cup Final, losing out to the incongruous pairing of Cardiff Blues in 2010 at Marseille and Biarritz at the Stoop two seasons later, as well as losing out in Top 14 finals to Toulouse and Castres in 2012 and 2013. Not always admired for their ambitious acquisition of players, there was a major exception as a resurgent Jonny Wilkinson put his injury problems behind him and reinvented himself as the focal point of the side, getting all of the points against Saracens in the 24-12 semi final win at Twickenham in 2013 and getting another 13 points in the final the following year. He signed off from the club after the 2014 Top 14 title win.

 

In all three European triumphs, they were heavily reliant on the World Cup winner's prowess. Without diminishing this in any way, the three final wins yielded a grand total of five tries for the winners, and, having watched all three live (as well as their semi finals), they don't live as long in the memory as Leinster's triumphs in three of the four previous campaigns. Personally, it felt that an exciting squad played overly cautiously, and, though this approach was justified in delivering an unprecedented treble, it didn't seem to be something for the neutrals to savour. That said, it was a tribute to their toughness, in direct contrast to the Clermont side beaten in 2013 and 2015 who were easier on the eye but beset by what seems to be a mental frailty in big games, which, of course, Saracens exploited ruthlessly in that landmark 2014 Twickenham semi. 

 

Unlike Saracens, though, who have got stronger again as sides such as Wasps and Bath begin to put renewed challenges together, there is a sense that perhaps, Toulon are beginning eclipsed domestically, as well as in Europe. The stream of trophies has run dry in the last season. Ironically, perhaps, their conservative final displays, they finished the 2015 season as regular season leaders by a margin of a point, claiming 81 tries, but failing to seal the deal as they suffered a surprise 33-16 loss to unexpected winners Stade Francais Paris at Bordeaux. Last season, they finished second, but accumulated 90 tries, although on this occasion successfully negotiated their semi-final against Montpellier in Rennes to set up a Nou Camp final against the fast emerging threat of Racing Metro, who had already beaten Toulon in a dramatic European Quarter Final in Paris (remember one of those?). However, despite outscoring their opponents two tries to one, discipline proved a problem as eight penalties from nine proved the foundation of a 29-21 win for the side from the capital. There was a Saracens connection here, though, the attendance of 99124 breaking that for a club rugby match set by the match against Harlequins at Wembley in 2015.

 

Turning to the present campaign and Toulon have made a solid, if unspectacular, start to the campaign, sitting in fourth spot behind Clermont and surprise package La Rochelle with four wins, a draw and three losses from eight. They lost their opening game, 28-23 at Bayonne, but Halfpenny got a try and all of the other points in a 22-18 win at Pau despite the home side making three times as much ground, and forcing the visitors to make 121 tackles compared to 47 of their own. Back at home, they suffered a disappointing 25-21 home loss to Brive in which the hosts made a solitary line break and struggled at times in the set piece as well as making too many knock ons. There was better news in the trip to Toulouse, where a solid defensive performance with a 93% tackle success rate repelled a home attack which had more of the play, as efficient finishing brought a 32-15 win. However, a first clash with Racing 92 since the final defeat brought a 41-30 reverse in Paris, undone by precision attacking by the home side who scored six tries. Back in the South of France, Clermont were beaten 23-21 as the hosts came out of top in a tight match and the match against Montpellier was switched to the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, scene of the 2014 and 2015 European semi finals. It saw a 28-6 win in a solid, all round display. A 17-17 draw at La Rochelle brings the story up to date, in which a second string line up rescued the match with a late kick.

 

Now for that squad. The Armitage brothers departed in the close season, as Steffon switched to Pau and Delon signed for Lyon, whilst club captain Juan Smith, the South African back rower, is injured at present. However, given the conclusion of the Rugby Championship, there should be some changes to the starting line up. 

At full back, Leigh Halfpenny offers sharp counter attacking and assured goal kicking. The wing placings should be with the Fijian Josua Tuisova on the right with the vastly experienced South African international Bryan Habana on the left, outside a centre partnership of Mathieu Bastereaud and Matt Giteau. An all-French half back duo could feature Francois Trinh-Duc at fly half alongside scrum half Pierre Bernard. Into the forwards, and the front row could feature French loosehead Florian Fresia, alongside compatriot Guilhem Guirado at hooker and South African Marcel van der Merwe at tighthead. At lock. Juandre Kruger could team up with Samu Manoa, the USA international formerly at Northampton where he was generally deployed as a number 8. The back row may see Charles OIlivon, the Argentinian Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Duane Vermeulen.

 

For Saracens, they will take heart that Toulon have failed to find consistency, even allowing for the fact that Top 14 sides have mixed away records. With the exception of the Montpellier game, they have failed to dominate matches, and much of their successes have been built around solid defence, whilst their attack has not consistently fired, although the return of an instinctive finisher such as Habana will help with this. That said, a strong display by the pack should see the home attack blunted, so it might become a tight encounter decided by the set piece, and, as such, giving Saracens an advantage. A possible line up sees the return of Alex Goode at full back, with Sean Maitland switching to the right and Chris Wyles remaining on the left, outside Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt. Owen Farrell will probably return to the fray from the bench, as Alex Lozowski and Richard Wigglesworth continue at full back. What will probably be a largely unchanged pack should see Mako Vunipola start, possibly with Jamie George and Petrus du Plessis in the opening XV this time, and Maro Itoje combining with George Kruis at lock. Michael Rhodes will probably get the nod at 6, alongside Schalk Burger and Billy Vunipola.

 

This should be the key match of the weekend. Safe journey to all travelling.