Harlequins’ hopes of Champions Cup progress dented by defeat at Toulon

Harlequins endured a chastening afternoon on the Cote d’Azur with a 33-21 defeat by Toulon, leaving them uncertain of qualifying for the Investec Champions Cup knockout phase.

Their failure to leave the Stade Mayol with at least a bonus point places them under pressure when they host Glasgow on Saturday, with Stormers, Sale and Racing 92 also competing for the two available spots in Pool Four.

Even allowing for Quins’ ability to score quick tries, the Gallagher Premiership club appeared to have been blasted out of contention by half-time, which they entered 26-0 behind.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Toulon

33 - 21

Full-time

Harlequins

All Stats and Data

Gianmarco Lucchesi went over after just 104 seconds before tries from Baptiste Serin, Esteban Abadie, and Jiuta Wainiqolo followed to wrap up the bonus point by the interval.

Serin’s dummy deceived the visiting defence too easily, and the scrum-half was the catalyst for many of the standout moments seen from Toulon, who lost prop Kyle Sinckler to what appeared to be a wrist injury in the 18th minute.

James Chisholm’s yellow card for leading with the arm when carrying was a blow to Quins, particularly given their inability to match the hosts’ physicality.

Facundo Isa ran over Alex Dombrandt early in the second half, summing up Toulon’s dominance of the collisions, but Harlequins hit back with a well-worked try for Will Porter.

Jack Walker then finished off a line-out maul, but the door was slammed shut on their comeback when Toulon’s attack clicked for Gael Drean to race over.

Quins had at least shown greater fight in the second half with Nick David running in their third try in stoppage time, but it was an otherwise disappointing performance.