No Brexit as the Gunners march on
Coach Cockerill lays down a challenge
HailEdinburgh’s Euro heroes!
The glorious Gunners produced their greatest-ever Champions Cup display in France to complete a remarkable double over the tournament’s big spenders.
And the clear-cut triumph at Stade Felix Mayol took them to the brink of claiming a place in the quarter-finals for only the second time.
Anything other than a heavy loss to Montpellier at Murrayfield on Friday will send them through as pool winners – though they will have the safety net of likely qualification as one of the best runners-up.
And jubilant boss Richard Cockerill has challenged his heroes to earn a home turf Champions Cup quarter-final.
The coach admitted the second-half demolition job on Toulon was the best display he had witnessed since taking the reins 18 months ago.
And he insisted: “We have given ourselves a fantastic opportunity to reach the quarter finals – but we want to do even more than that. “The aim now is not only to get through, but we are determined to beat Montpellier at Murrayfield on Friday to earn a home tie.”
Cockerill added: “I am so proud of what the guys have achieved with this result – and they should be hugely proud of themselves.”
The travelling fans couldn’t have feared a worse start as the home brigade surged ahead after less than two minutes.
Toulon spurned a penalty pot at the posts in favour of an attacking line-out. And the gamble paid an instant dividend when veteran hooker Guilhem Guirado burrowed over.
Edinburgh’s response was positive and they earned a pressure penalty.
Jaco van der Walt’s 35-metre effort was bang on to ease the jitters.
They kept up the momentum and created a superb touchdown on the half-hour mark.
James Ritchie expertly lured two markers before sending winger Darcy Graham over in the corner.
A gallop into enemy territory by Blair Kinghorn set up another raid.
But this time the Toulon back markers averted the danger – and they quickly made the most of their reprieve by claiming try No. 2 through Facundo Isa, goaled by Anthony Belleau. Back came the Gunners, with Henry Pyrgos scuttling to the line.
However, Duhan van der Merwe had put his foot in touch just before delivering the pass.
Edinburgh kept up the pace after the restart. However, a series of handling errors let the hosts off the hook.
Then came a moment of magic.
Van der Walt’s delicate chip was perfectly weighted for Kinghorn to scoop it up and plunge over.
And Van der Walt followed up with the pinpoint conversion from a wide angle – then clipped over a shortrange penalty.
Toulon were clearly rattled as the frantic action entered the final quarter.
Gunners slashed open the defence yet again, but Graham’s inside feed to Pyrgos was forward.
They did extend their advantage on the hour-mark, however, with another Van der Walt penalty – meaning the locals had to score at least twice to overhaul them. But it was Edinburgh who struck again with a third try.
Man of the Match Bill Mata inflicted the initial damage before sending Jimmy Johnstone on a cruise to the line with a stunning offload.
Van der Walt’s conversion was good.
Toulon refused to buckle, and All Black Julian Savea gave them a glimmer of hope with a trademark finish.