Challenge Cup Final – Toulon vs Lyon
27 May 2022 @ 21:05
The European Finals weekend in Marseille kicks off with the Challenge Cup Final between two TOP 14 sides, Toulon and Lyon. These two sides are separated by one point domestically, with one round of fixtures to go, illustrating how tight this match should be.
Toulon are European royalty, having won the Champions Cup on three occasions and have far greater pedigree than their opponents who are playing in their first major final since 1933. Toulon should have the mental edge, having done the double over Lyon this season, including the recent 43 – 10 thumping at the Stade Gerland.
There are a number of mouth-watering matchups across the park. In the pack, the battle between Eben Etzebeth and Joel Kpoku is box office. Both were key in their respective semi-final victories and this battle should bring fireworks.
The scrum will be an area where Toulon will look to attack. Demba Bamba is a beast, but his scrummaging is suspect and Toulon’s powerful front row should get dominance here. Bamba is facing his France teammate Jean-Baptiste Gros. The battle in the loose forwards will also be fierce, with Sergio Parisse rolling back the years in a dominant performance against Saracens. Charles Ollivon is pure class and a real all-court player, whereas Dylan Cretin for Lyon is more involved at the lineout and Jordan Taufua comes in at No. 8 to bring extra grit.
In the backline, you can’t look further than Josua Tuisova up against Gabin Villiere. Tuisova’s strength was on display in a number of massive shots he put in against Wasps in the semi-final for Lyon. Villiere was unbelievable against Saracens, the main jackal threat and finishing off two incredible tries for Toulon. The return of Cheslin Kolbe to the starting line-up will excite Bok fans and he makes up an incredible back 3 for Toulon. Lyon look to run the ball at every opportunity, especially from kicks, where they often take a quick lineout. Charlie Ngatai at inside centre for Lyon will need to be well marked when he gets his hands on the ball.
Luke Pearce is an inspired appointment as the referee, based on the fact that he can communicate in French, which should help the flow of the game.
Toulon will be favourites and they should have immense support, with the game being played just 65km along the Mediterranean coast. The battle up front is going to be massive and it should be a bruising encounter, with a number of combustible players on either side. As always, the game will be won or lost in the forwards. Toulon should have the edge here, even in spite of Kpoku’s workrate countering their strength. The backlines have real stardust and it promises to be a thrilling encounter, with not much to choose between the two sides. Based on history in Europe and their most recent result, I believe Toulon will edge this.