Champions Cup Pool 5: Wasps v RC Toulon, 22 November

by **George Carlin** Tue 17 Nov 2015, 11:45 am

Champions Cup Pool 5: Wasps v RC Toulon, 22 November Toulon10

Wasps v RC Toulonnais
Sunday 22 November 2015
KO: 17:15
Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Live on BT Sport / beIN Sports

Referee John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch Judge 1 Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
Touch Judge 2 Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Fourth Official Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO Simon McDowell (Ireland)

A. Head to Head

1 Played 1
0 Wins 1
1 Losses 0
0 Draws 0
18 Points 32

B. Recent Form

5 April 2015
Toulon 32 - 18 Wasps

C. Teams

Wasps
Champions Cup Pool 5: Wasps v RC Toulon, 22 November Larkin10

Champions Cup Pool 5: Wasps v RC Toulon, 22 November Larkin10

15. Charles Piutau; 14. Christian Wade, 13. Elliot Daly, 12. Ben Jacobs, 11. Frank Halai; 10. Ruaridh Jackson, 9. Joe Simpson; 1. Matt Mullan, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Bradley Davies, 6. James Haskell (c), 7. George Smith, 8. Nathan Hughes

16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Lorenzo Cittadini, 19. James Gaskell, 20. Sam Jones, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Alex Lozowski, 23. Sailosi Tagicakibau

RC Toulonnais
Champions Cup Pool 5: Wasps v RC Toulon, 22 November Baudel10

Champions Cup Pool 5: Wasps v RC Toulon, 22 November Baudel10

15. Delon Armitage; 14. Josua Tuisova, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Maxime Mermoz, 11. Bryan Habana; 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Jonathan Pelissie; 1. Xavier Chiocci, 2. Anthony Etrillard, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Samu Manoa, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Juan Smith (c), 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8. Steffon Armitage

16. Bastien Soury, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Duane Vermeulen, 20. Mamuka Gorgodze, 21. Theo Belan, 22. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23. Konstantine Mikautadze

by **LondonTiger** Sat 21 Nov 2015, 9:11 pm

Wasps
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Christian Wade, 13. Elliot Daly, 12. Ben Jacobs, 11. Frank Halai; 10. Ruaridh Jackson, 9. Joe Simpson; 1. Matt Mullan, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Bradley Davies, 6. James Haskell (c), 7. George Smith, 8. Nathan Hughes
16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Lorenzo Cittadini, 19. James Gaskell, 20. Sam Jones, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Alex Lozowski, 23. Sailosi Tagicakibau

RC Toulon
15. Delon Armitage; 14. Josua Tuisova, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Maxime Mermoz, 11. Bryan Habana; 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Jonathan Pelissie; 1. Xavier Chiocci, 2. Anthony Etrillard, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Samu Manoa, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Juan Smith (c), 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8. Steffon Armitage
16. Bastien Soury, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Duane Vermeulen, 20. Mamuka Gorgodze, 21. Theo Belan, 22. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23. Konstantine Mikautadze

by **George Carlin** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:41 am

Really looking forward to this one. Offy preview:

PREVIEW: Wasps ready to sting champions

Christian Wade will never score an easier try than the one he claimed at the RDS last weekend in Wasps record breaking 33-6 win over Leinster Rugby.

The man with the quickest feet in northern hemisphere rugby merely had to give chase to Joe Simpson box kick and watch opposite number Dave Kearney make a terrible hash of things in his 22 before the ball bounced up the Wasps winger's hands for the first of three tries for the visitors.

Wade had scored at the RDS the previous year in the Champions Cup and now has three tries in five games in that tournament and 12 in 17 outings in Europe overall. But the England flyer knows that with Bryan Habana and
Drew Mitchell lying in wait for him this weekend at the Ricoh Arena things might be a bit different.

After the false start to the defence of their Champions Cup title last weekend, when their home clash with Bath Rugby was postponed because of the atrocities in Paris, RC Toulon will be hoping to have a number of their World Cup stars back in harness and raring to go. It promises to be an epic occasion at the Ricoh and a real test for Dai Young's burgeoning side.

RC Toulon have won 11 of the 12 matches they have played against Aviva Premiership opposition in the Champions Cup ad have lost only three times in 27 games over the past three seasons - all of them away from home.

The enormity of the match is not lost on Wade, who was missing when Wasps went to Stade Felix Mayol last season for the quarter-finals. They were beaten 32-18 on that occasion.

"It was a massive win for us in Leinster, especially having gone there last year and come up short. We had to put in a big, 80 minute performance and we were able to do that," Wade told Wasps TV.

"We want to show that we deserve to be in the Champions Cup and we want to be competing against the best teams in Europe. We have the belief and confidence to go out there and beat anyone.

"We need to be aware of their threats, but we will just have to deal with that comes at us on the day. I believe we have the ability to compete with anyone.

"With the team we've got, we have the belief that we can go out there and beat anyone. Without belief, when it comes down to the small percentages, you're going to come up short."

Match Facts
- Toulon won their only previous Champions Cup match against Wasps 32-18 in last season's quarter-final.
- Wasps have won three of their last four matches against French opposition with their quarter-final defeat against Toulon last season being the only blemish in that run.
- Wasps have won 17 and drawn two of their last 20 home matches in the Champions Cup, though they've won just one of their last three.
- Toulon have won four of their last five away matches in the Champions Cup, conceding fewer than 10 points in three of those five matches.

by kingelderfield Sun 22 Nov 2015, 9:09 am

Having a real feeling about this one, come on Wasps today is your day.

Dear Mr Lacey, the headlines are not yours, ok?

by mikey_dragon Sun 22 Nov 2015, 9:30 am

Any fans worried about the seeming contrast in each front row, or am I under rating Wasps?

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 9:55 am

Both looseheads look stronger than the opposing TH. Mullan should have Stevens for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

by **George Carlin** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 9:57 am

I really fancy Wasps to put up an almighty fight.

You have to figure that you can get to Cooper and if I was Jackson I would kick him a bomb or two and let George Smith say hello to an old friend.

by mikey_dragon Sun 22 Nov 2015, 11:30 am

I think Wasps will win, despite not looking that star studded on paper. I'm also hoping that they will win.

by kingelderfield Sun 22 Nov 2015, 2:41 pm

Could be a chilly one.....3 degrees C....its hardly the riveria

by doctor_grey Sun 22 Nov 2015, 3:11 pm

kingelderfield wrote:Could be a chilly one.....3 degrees C....its hardly the riveria

Oh, c'mon. The English Midlands has weather just as nise than the bleedin' French Riviera. It's the Riviera on the River Avon.

Just noticed Quade Cooper in the out half for Toulon. Prediction for today is thereofre easy: Toulon to win by 20 or lose by 20.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:21 pm

Delon Armitage is a tool of the highest degree.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:25 pm

Of all the teams who can match Toulon, I would say the Wasps are right up there. Their team is full of talent. Let's hope they can do it.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:26 pm

Excellent try!

by Geordie Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:27 pm

Nice try

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:28 pm

brilliant start by wasps

by BamBam Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:28 pm

Brilliant start!

by Geordie Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:28 pm

Wow what a try..what a start for Wasps!!!

by Scottrf Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:29 pm

Awesome stuff!!

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:29 pm

The Wasps are playing some of the best rugby I have seen this season against the 3 time champions! This is amazing.

by Hood83 Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:29 pm

WOW. Hope they can keep this up!

by **RDW** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:34 pm

Great to see Jackson showing form from a Scottish PoV - he's always promised much but not really delivered (sums up the Scotland team in general!)

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:35 pm

Thought the challenge by Delon on Simpson during second try was really dodgy.

Amazed at how may forward passes and knock ons Toulon getting away with.

Gaskell far too lightweight for the scrums.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:35 pm

What was the advantage for? The high tackle? If so, that is the shortest penalty advantage I have ever seen.

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:37 pm

Rory_Gallagher wrote:What was the advantage for? The high tackle? If so, that is the shortest penalty advantage I have ever seen.

knock on just before that, lacey didnt give anything for the high tackle

by Geordie Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:43 pm

The English teams have started off on fire!!!

BUT can they keep it up through the Competition?

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:44 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:The English teams have started off on fire!!!

BUT can they keep it up through the Competition?

Hopefully, I want to see another team win the competition for a change.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:46 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Great to see Jackson showing form from a Scottish PoV - he's always promised much but not really delivered (sums up the Scotland team in general!)

He's looked good at ten for Wasps. Gopperth really did Jackson and Wasps a favour with his suspension. Jackson is just making the right decisions and letting the fairly awesome Wasps back line do their thing.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:46 pm

Steffon hanging out on the wing a lot.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:48 pm

Love the way Wasps are playing.

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:49 pm

Wasps need to be finishing some of these tries off though

by Pot Hale Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:50 pm

Wasps are the new Leinster.

Jeez but Wade has some pace. Great to watch.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:53 pm

Why should that be a penalty?

Basteraud jumps into the tackler.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:53 pm

Oh come on Lacey, he jumped into that.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:53 pm

Dumb law then.

by Geordie Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:54 pm

Wade doesn't like high balls mind does he.....

by Pot Hale Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:55 pm

He jumped to get the ball. It was contestable. Harsh possibly but thems the Laws

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:56 pm

Pot Hale wrote:He jumped to get the ball. It was contestable. Harsh possibly but thems the Laws

Which is why there is also a law for jumping into the tackle, which is what Bastereaud did.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:56 pm

Surely accidental offside, as Launchbury's knee knocked it back behind where it was knocked on from.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 22 Nov 2015, 5:57 pm

Pot Hale wrote:He jumped to get the ball. It was contestable. Harsh possibly but thems the Laws

So from now on any player getting a man and ball pass should jump?

by Hood83 Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:01 pm

Bit of a shame the best 7 in England is a 35yr old Aussie :-(

by Pot Hale Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:02 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Pot Hale wrote:He jumped to get the ball. It was contestable. Harsh possibly but thems the Laws

So from now on any player getting a man and ball pass should jump?

If it's high and contestable then the tackler needs to take due care.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:04 pm

Cracking start by Wasps, only real worry has been the scrum

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:06 pm

Hood83 wrote:Bit of a shame the best 7 in England is a 35yr old Aussie :-(

give it a month or two, you'll know about o'connor who is, granted only slightly more english

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:07 pm

Who's O'Connor?

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:13 pm

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Who's O'Connor?

http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/leicester_tigers_senior_squad.php?player=84803&includeref=dynamic

by Hood83 Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:15 pm

nathan wrote:
Hood83 wrote:Bit of a shame the best 7 in England is a 35yr old Aussie :-(

give it a month or two, you'll know about o'connor who is, granted only slightly more english

Do you think he'll want to play for England? He'll need to go some way to match Smith. He won't need to go far to be better than our other 7s

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:17 pm

not sure, he has an English grandparent.

way too early to tell how he will fair, his debut was good against stade, he won't be anywhere near smith for many years to come

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:18 pm

Never heard of him.

Kvesic and Fraser are having strong seasons, it's not like the cupboard is bare.

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:20 pm

how many times have i heard that Matt Stevens has been subbed due to a tactical change

by nathan Sun 22 Nov 2015, 6:23 pm

D Armitage's positioning has been poor tonight

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