Smith: Toulon can only get better

With the spectre of their bonus point defeat by Wasps at the Ricoh Arena still hanging over them, the former Springbok admitted there were harsh words in the dressing room as the champions of the last three years contemplated how to fight back from being 16-5 down.

"That was a big comeback by us in the second half, especially after we lost at Wasps. We really need to win this game," admitted Man of the Match, and first half try scorer, Smith.

"At half-time we just said we needed to stick to our game plan and put faith in our set-piece. The scrum and line-out were non-negotiable for us.

"We always back our driving line-out and we got a try from it last week, which was our only highlight. But we got another try from it this time."

The latest victory for the French side puts them back in the hunt for the quarterfinals. They are now on eight points in second place behind Wasps with a game in hand.

Their two games against Bath in the New Year will be critical – their first meeting was postponed in Round One because of the Paris atrocities – and nobody dare risk ruling them out of possibly making it four titles in a row. That's certainly what Smith and company are after.

"It isn't getting any easier. It was a disappointing defeat against Wasps, but it can only get better from here on," added Smith.