Glasgow Warriors v Toulon: Challenge Cup final preview as Scottish side set to edge French giants in Dublin
If Leinster v La Rochelle is the main course, then Glasgow Warriors v Toulon in the Challenge Cup final this Friday is one seriously large plate of a starter.
The game at the Aviva Stadium should be a fascinating and entertaining clash, as two attack-minded teams battle it out for a coveted piece of silverware.
Glasgow will no doubt be reeling after having their United Rugby Championship hopes ended by an underdog Munster in the quarter-finals two weeks ago. The Warriors were backed by many to progress to the last four of that competition and had been dark horses to go all the way due to the form they were in.
However, it wasn’t meant to be, but at least they had this shot at European glory to focus their minds in the aftermath as they’re 80 minutes from glory.
It is fantastic to see how the Challenge Cup has increased in importance to teams, not least in France, as the Top 14 has always been streets ahead in that department. Toulon, who were just outside the key top six spots in the league last weekend, putting out a second team against Racing 92 adds weight to that.
Finishing the season with this European trophy in their cabinet is therefore of utmost importance for Toulon as it would also secure them a place in the Champions Cup next term. It would also be the perfect send-off for head coach Franck Azema and the retiring Sergio Parisse in his penultimate club match.
Indeed, there’s plenty riding on a final that promises so much as a spectacle as Dublin gets its first taste of a European Cup rugby double this weekend.
Team news
Fresh from signing a Glasgow contract extension with the club earlier this week, Fraser Brown comes in to start at hooker. He packs down between Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson in an all-Scotland front-row.
Scott Cummings starts alongside JP du Preez in the second-row, the duo resuming the partnership that started the semi-final victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli.
An all-action back-row sees Sione Vailanu and Matt Fagerson paired together on the flanks. Also in the back-row, the tournament’s top carrier, Jack Dempsey, lines up at number eight.
Domingo Miotti is named in the number 10 jersey. Meanwhile, George Horne – scorer of more points this season than any other Warrior – starts at scrum-half.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones combine in the centres, the former having been named in the United Rugby Championship Elite XV for 2022/23.
In addition, Kyle Steyn leads the side from the wing, with Sebastián Cancelliere and Ollie Smith rounding out the starting XV in an unchanged back-three.
🏟️ Here they are, your starting XV and replacements for the @ChallengeCup_ final against @RCTofficiel!
📷: https://t.co/dNbveCIYh9 pic.twitter.com/o8pD1hLbLB
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) May 18, 2023
Meanwhile, Toulon have named Cheslin Kolbe at full-back in a lethal looking back three that sees Gabin Villiere and Jiuta Wainiqolo line up on the wings.
Baptiste Serin and Dan Biggar form an experienced half-back combination while Duncan Paia’aua and Waisea Nayacalevu are outside them as the centres.
Notable inclusions in the pack are number eight Parisse in a settled back-row alongside flankers Cornell du Preez and Charles Ollivon while Dany Priso and Brian Alainu’uese also start, at loosehead prop and lock respectively.
Where the game will be won
Both these teams have been free-scoring in the Challenge Cup this season, and we expect that pattern to continue in the final, which is great news for the neutral. Attacking intent will be evident from the outset, and do not expect the fact it’s a final to deter either from the style that has got them this far in 2023.
Glasgow Warriors have averaged 5.1 tries per game and 35.1 points in this competition, with Toulon on 4.1 and 29.9, meaning a high-scoring affair is a safe prediction. Box office talents such as Tuipulotu, Cancelliere, Kolbe and Wainiqolo are likely to feature heavily in a match that could see the finalists go blow for blow in terms of tries, which would make for a classic final.
What they said
Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall admitted his team is excited about the prospect of playing in a first European final and want to make it count.
“We’ve got enough confidence from what we have done this season that we will take anyone on at the moment,” he said ahead of the Dublin fixture.
“We’ve put in a lot of hard work, and we feel that we’re in a really good place going into the game. It’s bubbling nicely.
“It’s the first time the club have ever been to a European final, so it’s new territory for us and one the players are really excited to get stuck into.”
Meanwhile, an emotional Toulon number eight Parisse told us on Monday that the prospect of this being his penultimate run-out is not lost on him.
“I cannot believe I am approaching 40 and still in a position where I can enjoy playing,” he said as he continues to be overlooked by Italy at Test level.
“My goal this week is not to overthink this but I am very aware I probably I have two more games with a Top 14 weekend after the final and then and then it’s gone – bang! My career is over.”
🇮🇹 Read our exclusive with Sergio Parisse, here. 👉 https://t.co/UBSS1JWxXf pic.twitter.com/7rcwIeyJqv
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 16, 2023
Players to watch
The inclusion of Huw Jones is a notable one as ‘Huwipulotu’ is reunited this weekend. Indeed, alongside the excellent Sione Tuipulotu, this duo will need to help incoming fly-half Domingo Miotti – in for the suspended Tom Jordan – settle into the game quickly, with both ideal running options for the Puma.
On the Toulon side it’s hard not to look past the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Gabin Villiere and Jiuta Wainiqolo, with the latter just one try short of Glasgow replacement hooker Johnny Matthews in the try-scoring chart. Dan Biggar will of course relish the occasion and Toulon need him in top form if they are to win.
Main head-to-head
The ability to generate front-foot ball and get over the gainline will be paramount in this match as the pack looks to create the space out wide to unleash their lethal backs. This means the clash of the back-rows will be integral in stopping the opposition’s momentum and creating for their own side. That makes the selection of Glasgow’s trio all the more interesting, with Franco Smith essentially opting for three number eights in his starting line-up.
The trio of Fagerson, Vailanu and Dempsey provides the Warriors with three enormous ball-carrying threats, with the work-rate of Fagerson able to offset the loss of an openside flanker when Glasgow are in possession. However, there is a downside as Toulon could dominate possession for long periods without an out-and-out openside flanker, threatening the breakdown until Rory Darge enters the fray.
The French outfit have picked the tried and tested trio of Du Preez, Ollivon and Parisse, who have regularly shone this campaign’s side. They provide a well-rounded threat with Du Preez’s work-rate freeing up Ollivon and Parisse to shine with ball in hand. Ollivon is excellent over the ball but will be added in that department by the likes of Teddy Baubigny and Villiere.
By the looks of it, Glasgow will look to tire out the French with their starters and, if needed, tackle their hearts out before adding the energy of Darge off the bench. Regardless, this is an enticing battle vital in deciding who lifts the trophy.
Prediction
It’s an incredibly tough fixture to call as both sides command serious respect. A lot rests on the shoulders of Miotti and Biggar in terms of guiding their respective team to Challenge Cup glory and we just feel the Warriors will find their feet again and get back to winning ways in Dublin. Glasgow by three points.
Previous results
2014: Toulon won 15-8 at Scotstoun
2013: Toulon won 51-28 at Stade Felix Mayol
The teams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Sebastián Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (c), 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 JP du Preez, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Richie Gray, 20 Lewis Bean, 21 Rory Darge, 22 Ali Price, 23 Stafford McDowall
Toulon: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Brian Alainu’uese, 4 Mathieu Tanguy, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Teddy Baubigny, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Kieran Brooks, 19 Facundo Isa, 20 Mathieu Bastareaud, 21 Baptiste Paillaugue, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jeremy Sinzelle
Date: Friday, May 19
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 20:00 BST (19:00 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)