Northampton Saints snatch late win over Toulon

MATCH REPORT: Replacement Tom Lockett gave Northampton Saints a 22-19 victory over RC Toulon with a late try as the English side picked up their second Champions Cup win of the season.

Lockett dotted down in the corner with Pool three rivals RC Toulon down to 13 men after replacement Matteo le Corvec and centre Jérémy Sinzelle were sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and deliberate knock on respectively.

Northampton Saints had led 10-3 at half-time, but RC Toulon fullback Melvyn Jaminet put in a star performance as the French side fought back to take the lead with 15 minutes to go.

The hosts crossed twice in the first half, with wing Tom Seabrook scoring the first in the sixth minute after some excellent hands down the line.

Fullback George Furbank went in for the second 20 minutes later, rendering RC Toulon flyhalf Enzo Herve’s early penalty merely a footnote of the first 40.

With both tries unconverted, RC Toulon were still in the game and came out with the clear intention of putting the hosts under pressure and eventually they got over, with fullback Jaminet diving in the corner for his first ever Champions Cup try.

Herve failed to convert before Furbank then picked up his second try following an excellent kick and chase from Tommy Freeman who was able to offload to the supporting fullback.

But the French side’s steady momentum-building continued and, with Northampton Saints flyhalf Fin Smith missing yet another conversion, the visitors remained confident.

After another Herve penalty, RC Toulon finally took the lead with their second try courtesy of lock David Ribbans who powered over in the 65th minute, and whilst Herve missed the extras Jaminet added three courtesy of a drop-goal.

But the two yellow cards followed ten minutes later to set up a frantic final five, which ended with Lockett’s try – the first Smith managed to convert on the night.

The bonus point win sees Northampton Saints improve on their position in Pool Three, as they move up to nine points. RC Toulon’s progress from the Pool has now become even harder, but with two losing bonus points all hope is not lost.

The French side will host Munster in Round Three in January, while Northampton Saints will face Aviron Bayonnais.

The scorers:

For Northampton Saints:
Tries: Seabrook, Furbank 2, Lockett
Con: Smith

For Toulon:
Tries: Jaminet, Ribbans
Pen: Herve 2
Drop goal: Jaminet

Yellow cards: Matteo le Corvec (Toulon, 75), Jérémy Sinzelle (Toulon, 75)

Teams:

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tom Seabrook, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Tom Litchfield, 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Sam Graham, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Ethan Waller.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Tom James, 22 Charlie Savala, 23 Ollie Sleightholme.

RC Toulon: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 13 Setariki Tuicuvu, 12 Jérémy Sinzelle, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Enzo Herve, 9 Ben White, 8 Selevasio Tolofua, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Esteban Abadie, 5 David Ribbans, 4 Matthias Halagahu, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Dany Priso.
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Emerick Setiano, 19 Adrien Warion, 20 Matteo le Corvec, 21 Jules Danglot, 22 Mathieu Smaili, 23 Jiuta Wainiqolo.

Referees: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Source: @ChampionsCup