RC Toulon saw off Edinburgh 27-17 in the Challenge Cup on Friday evening. The French side secured their victory with a composed second-half display, building on a shaky opening period to take control of the match.
Edinburgh had looked dangerous early on, matching Toulon's intensity through the first twenty minutes. But things came to a head when the visitors found their rhythm. A sell-out crowd watched as Toulon's experience told, and they clawed their way back from a tight contest into a comfortable position.
What happened next should have been obvious. We had given our readers a prediction before kick-off, backing the French side with 73 per cent confidence. By then, anyone watching would have understood why. Toulon's structure held firm while Edinburgh's defensive shape began to fray under sustained pressure. The prediction came good, and not through luck.
Edinburgh's recent run has been uneven. They beat Zebre 29-12 and Stormers 17-13, but losses to Melrose and Carri show vulnerability against physical opposition. Toulon, meanwhile, lost heavily to Montpellier but bounced back with wins over Vannes and Castres Olympique. The gap in consistency was visible on the pitch.
The result leaves Edinburgh with work to do in the group. Toulon's away performance suggests they still have something to offer when they find their feet. Three points either way in what was a match decided by moments, not minutes.
