Toulon vs La Rochelle | Saturday, 8 November | Stade Mayol
Match Preview
If Ronan O’Gara had his way, this match might not even be taking place. The Irish coach admitted earlier this week that withdrawing from Saturday’s clash was an “option” for his side, given the number of players away on international duty.
Nevertheless, O’Gara has decided to play on, and now La Rochelle will need to make the most of what promises to be a tricky trip to Stade Mayol. There is, however, a slight silver lining for the visitors — while both teams are short on key personnel, Toulon have been hit harder by Test call-ups.
La Rochelle arrive in fine form, having thrashed Racing 92 33–6 last weekend to make it three wins on the bounce. Prior to that, they saw off Lyon 36–19 and Montauban 54–19, showing both attacking flair and defensive stability.
Toulon, meanwhile, responded well to their humbling 59–24 defeat away to Toulouse, bouncing back with a commanding 54–21 win over Lyon. Despite losing several internationals over the past fortnight, Toulon will still fancy their chances at home, they remain unbeaten at Stade Mayol this season.
Verdict: La Rochelle (+)
This one could be a tight and entertaining affair. La Rochelle are riding a strong wave of form, while Toulon have been formidable on home soil. Given the circumstances and the handicap on offer, backing La Rochelle with the plus looks the smart play.