Toulon 72 - 42 Saracens: Sarries eliminated from Champions Cup after 114-point thriller in France

Saracens took the initiative early on with a try after just four minutes, Juan Martin Gonzalez pouncing on a mistake from the hosts to score before Fergus Burke added the extras.

The sun was shining in the Stade Felix Mayol, and it would be the winger Jiuta Wainiqolo who would respond instantly after being set away in the corner. Melvyn Jaminet got on the board, 7-7.

The visitors were without a number of England internationals, but they didn’t look phased as tries from Nick Tompkins and Ollie Hartley, before a second from Gonzalez sandwiched in between two Jaminet penalties, gave those in white an impressive lead.

Scrum-half Ivan Van Zyl would add a fifth try for the North Londoners on the half-hour mark as, yet again, a mistake in defence from the French side put Sarries on top.

A first half that all went Saracens' way looked to take a turn towards the end of the 40 minutes, a try from number 8, Facundo Isa and one from Jaminet closed the score to eight points at the break, 27-35.

The momentum seemed to have swung the way of the French side, and that was confirmed when replacement Brian Alainu’uese drove over from close range.

It would be added to 12 minutes later, Isa scoring his second of the afternoon after the visitors were caught out at the lineout.

The man of the match would complete his hat trick on the hour mark after some quick thinking at the breakdown, before three minutes later, Leicester Fainga’anuku would finish off a breakaway to be rewarded for his hard work.

James Hadfield would score next to narrow the gap back down to 15 but would just turn out to be a consolation despite the English sides’ resilience.

Three more tries for Toulon, a second of the tie for Jaminet and one each for replacements Baptiste Serin and Seta Tuicuvu put an end to Saracens’ European run on the south coast of France as it ended 72-42.

Saracens will now have a week off before they return to Premiership action, undoubtedly with several returning international stars, whilst for Toulon, it could either be a date with Sale Sharks or fellow Top 14 rivals Toulouse.

TRIES: (Wainiqolo 5’, Isa 36’, 56’, 60’, Jaminet 39’, 70’, Alainu'uese 44’, Fainga’anuku 63’, Serin 75', Tuicuvu 77’)

CONVERSIONS: (Jaminet 5’, 36’, 39’, 56, 60’, 63’, 75’ 77’)

PENALTIES: (Jaminet 12’, 15’)

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 0

RED CARDS: 0

15. Melvyn Jaminet 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 12’ Jeremy Sinzelle 11. Gabin Villiere 10. Paolo Garbisi 9. Ben White 8. Facundo Isa 7. Esteban Abadie 6. Lewis Ludlam 5. David Ribbans © 4 Matthias Halagahu 3. Kyle Sinckler 2. Teddy Baubigny 1. Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements:

16. Gianmarco Lucchesi 17. Dany Priso 18. Beka Gigashvilli 19. Brian Alainu’uese 20. Matteo le Corvec 21. Baptiste Serin 22. Marius Domon 23. Seta Tuicuvu

TRIES: (Gonzalez 4’, 24’, Tompkins 8’, Hartley 16’, Van Zyl 31’, Hadfield 66’)

CONVERSIONS: (Burke 4’, 8’ 17’ 24’ 31’, 66’)

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 0

RED CARDS: 0

15. Alex Goode 14. Tobias Elliot 13. Nick Tompkins 12. Ollie Hartley 11. Angus Hall 10. Fergus Burke 9. Ivan Van Zyl © 8. Andy Onyeama-Christie 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez 6. Theo McFarland 5. Hugh Tizard 4. Nick Isiekwe 3. Marco Riccioni 2. Theo Dan 1. Eroni Mawi

Replacements

16. James Hadfield 17. Rhys Carre 18. Harvey Beaton 19. Harry Wilson 20. Nathan Michelow 21. Gareth Simpson 22. Louis Johnson 23. Brandon Jackson-Richards

There were a number of talking points as Toulon went through to the knock-out stages, on the south coast of France.

The Saracens hooker was influential in everything good for the North Londoners setting up several tries. With Jamie George slowly being left out of the England squad, he could be one of the few options to step up and make that number 2 shirt his. There is also talk for him to be on the plane for the Lions later this year.

Since joining Sarries from London Irish, the Argentinian has been superb and has been even better for the Pumas. His speed at the breakdown and anticipation for an interception put him in the right place at the right time to score not just once this afternoon but twice.

Only missing out on man of the match on tries scored, the Frenchman was influential in everything attacking for Toulon. His offloading game, kicking awareness and kicking off the tee put his side on top. Questions could be raised over him potentially competing with Toulouse fullback Thomas Ramos.

The actual man of the match, Isa, looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. Scoring three times, he paved the way for a comeback win. He was physical and demanding in the breakdown and at scrum time. Rightfully is the man of the match and will be important if Toulon are to continue further in the competition.

It’s been discussed a million times, but yet again, it’s hard to see how it should not be considered for a rule change to be able for England to pick players from abroad. David Ribbans, Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam were extremely good and would be brilliant additions to Steve Borthwick’s squad.