Toulon powered past Saracens in a breathtaking 16-try Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 clash, racking up a remarkable 72-42 victory in one of the highest-scoring games in European rugby history.
Despite conceding 10 tries and 70-plus points, Saracens came out of the contest with their heads held high, especially after leading by 22 points inside the opening half-hour. Their decision to rest five England internationals had raised eyebrows, but the youthful squad named by Mark McCall gave a spirited account of themselves, particularly early on.
Saracens made a blistering start, capitalising on a wayward pass from Melvyn Jaminet to allow Juan Martín González in for the opening score. Toulon replied quickly through Jiuta Wainiqolo, but Saracens weren’t rattled. They continued to press forward, scoring further tries through Nick Tompkins and Olly Hartley. Another for González and a fifth from Ivan van Zyl, thanks to an explosive carry and clever offload from Theo Dan, gave Saracens a stunning 22-point advantage after 32 minutes.
However, Toulon began to turn the tide before half-time. Facundo Isa and Jaminet both crossed the line to pull the hosts back into contention, and the warning signs were clear. After the interval, Toulon were unstoppable. Brian Alainu’uese powered over first before Isa completed his hat-trick with two more powerful finishes, taking advantage of a Saracens defence that could no longer cope with the physical onslaught.
Leicester Fainga’anuku added another to make it 40 unanswered points for the hosts, and while Saracens managed to stem the tide briefly with a try from replacement hooker James Hadfield, Toulon weren’t done. Jaminet capped a superb individual performance with his third try, and further scores from Baptiste Serin and Setariki Tuicuvu rounded off the rout.
The French side’s offloading game, tempo, and physicality were simply too much for the visitors to handle over the full 80 minutes. Serin’s control and tempo from the bench helped unlock Saracens repeatedly, while Isa and Jaminet were ruthless in finishing opportunities.
Though questions lingered over what impact the absent England stars might have had, the reality was that Toulon’s second-half dominance was overwhelming. The defeat highlighted a growing gap in physicality between the English Premiership and France’s Top 14, a gap that continues to widen as French clubs flourish with depth, power, and flair.
Still, there were positives for Saracens. Several young players stood out and gained invaluable experience at one of European rugby’s most intimidating venues. As they look to the future, there is a clear emphasis on nurturing homegrown talent rather than relying solely on imported stars.
Ultimately, Toulon march on in the Champions Cup with an emphatic statement, while Saracens are left to rebuild and reflect after an unforgettable and chaotic clash on the French Riviera.
