Tou smokin’ barrels
Euro blitz as Gunners go lock stock and
Richard Cockerill last night warned Edinburgh to expect a backlash after trouncing Euro foes Toulon in a “huge statement” triumph.
Jaco van der Walt kicked 18 points as the Gunners produced their greatest display on the continental stage to demolish the three- time Champions Cup winners.
The French big-spenders may have amassed a host of world- class superstars but money couldn’t buy the guts Gunners showed.
Now they’ ll turn their attention to back- to- back clashes with Newcastle Falcons, knowing two wins would put them on course for a quarter-final before a return trip to Toulon in under three months’ time. Gunners coach Cockerill said: “I could not be more proud of this group of guys but we cannot stand still and let this be a one-off. We still have to go to their place and I know there will be a hot welcome for us. They will still have a big say in who makes it into the knockout stages.
“We believe we can now compete with the biggest teams in Europe but we have to get the results to prove that time after time, home and away.
“We have made a huge statement this weekend. We have to keep up the momentum.” Edinburgh made a surefire start when Matt Scott burst through three challenges on his way into the dangerzone. They couldn’t finish off the move but edged ahead with a Van der Walt strike when the Toulon defence were lured offside. Skipper Stuart McInally was then blocked inches short but their work was rewarded in the 15th minute when Ben Toolis crashed over.
Romain Taofifenua muscled his way through in a lethal Toulon response only for Henry Pyrgos to cruise over before Van der Walt’s boot opened a 19-point gap at the break.
A stunning offloading sequence carved out another touchdown for McInally as Cockerill ’s defence knocked back Toulon time after time with brutal tackling.
Their power eventually earned a score through Daniel Ikpefan but Chris Dean darted over six minutes from time to make sure of the bonus point as Simon
Hickey converted.