Hayman looks no further than Wasps
Carl Hayman insists history-chasing Toulon cannot afford to look beyond their European Rugby Champions Cup quarterfinal clash against Wasps.
The defending champions have their sights set on becoming the first team to claim a hat-trick of European Cup titles following back-to-back successes in 2013 and 2014, but the thoughts of captain Hayman only stretch as far as finding a way past Wasps into the last four.
"We are the defending champions and the motivation comes from wanting to stay at the top. In the past, people have regarded Toulon as a bunch of mercenaries signing to enjoy the sun in the south of France.
"But we are all professionals who work hard and that has shown with the success of recent seasons. People mention that no team has won the title three times in a row, but we really cannot look past the quarterfinal and Wasps – that's all we are concerned with right now," said Hayman, who is retiring at the end of the season.
Toulon will be on-guard against the lightning pace of England wing Christian Wade, especially after his hat-trick past English champions Northampton Saints last weekend, and Hayman admitted they must find a way to "nullify" the all-action Wasps back row, spear-headed by James Haskell.
"Wasps did well to find a way out of a really tough pool [that included Leinster and Harlequins] especially after losing their first two games. They really turned things around and it was no small feat to come back and qualify.
"They fought for every point, as we all had to do with every pool being much closer than before, and this year has definitely been tougher than ever – with fewer clubs competing and the standard rising with every game. It has made for a really interesting tournament that is good for rugby," he added.
Toulon have home advantage at Stade Felix Mayol, where they have yet to lose a European Cup tie, but will be fired-up by their defeat in front of more than 65,000 fans at their adopted home, Stade Velodrome in Marseille, against Toulouse last week.
"That was a very disappointing result, especially given we could have gone clear at the top of the Top 14, but if there was any good to come out of it, there is nothing like a defeat to sharpen everyone for the following game. Playing at home is special to us, hopefully we can give the fans something to cheer," he stated.
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