RC ToulonS Top 14 Ambitions Face Road Challenges Against RC Vannes
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Toulon’s Top 14 ranking and playoff Aspirations
RC Toulon is currently locked in a fierce battle for a top-two finish in the Top 14, which guarantees direct qualification for the semi-finals. With 67 points, they are closely trailing Bordeaux Bègles (69 points) and Toulouse (74 points). The stakes are high as Toulon navigates a challenging schedule with three away games out of their remaining five fixtures, including a crucial match against RC Vannes this Saturday. They will also face Pau and Bayonne on the road, while hosting Toulouse and Bordeaux Bègles at home.
after a narrow defeat against Toulouse in the champions Cup quarter-finals, Toulon is now fully focused on securing the Top 14 championship.This singular focus could spell trouble for their upcoming opponents, including RC Vannes. However, Toulon’s away form presents a potential vulnerability. While they boast an unblemished home record with 11 wins in 11 games, their away record tells a different story, with only 3 wins in 10 games and four defeats in their last five away matches. this inconsistency on the road could be a key factor in determining their success in the remaining fixtures.
Key Players and Scoring Leaders for Toulon
Despite recent injury setbacks, Enzo Hervé remains Toulon’s leading point scorer in the Top 14 with 99 points. The fly-half played in the first 18 matchdays, starting in nine of them, but has been sidelined since early March due to a thigh injury. His absence has been felt, but other players have stepped up to contribute to the scoring effort.
baptiste Serin is close behind Hervé with 96 points. The experienced scrum-half, with 46 international caps for France, has been a versatile contributor, scoring six tries and taking on kicking duties, adding 12 penalties and 15 conversions to his tally. However, Melvyn Jaminet is expected to be the primary kicker for Toulon in the match against Vannes, assuming he starts. Since his return to the team, Jaminet has scored 36 points in five games, despite only starting one of those matches, accumulating a total of 163 minutes on the field.
Gaël Dréan: Toulon’s Top Try Scorer Returns Home
Gaël Dréan, Toulon’s prolific winger, returns to his native Morbihan as the Top 14’s leading try scorer. He will undoubtedly be a player to watch when Toulon faces Vannes at the Stade de la Rabine. Dréan recently ended a four-game try-scoring drought with a try against Clermont. With an impressive 12 tries in 21 matchdays, Dréan is currently ahead of Baptiste Couilloud (Lyon), Sireli Maqala (Bayonne), and Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux Bègles), who each have 10 tries.
Dréan’s journey in rugby has taken him through Lorient, Plouzané, and Rennes, but notably not through RC Vannes. His local roots and current form make him a significant threat to Vannes’ defense in the upcoming match. His speed and try-scoring ability could be crucial for Toulon as they aim to secure a vital away victory in their quest for a top-two finish in the Top 14.