Toulon 13th in the Top 14 with the third-best defence

Three defeats by one or two points, a win over Vannes, then a 28-0 loss in Montpellier: Toulon’s start to the season has been low on points at both ends.

Toulon lost their first three games by a combined four points: 27-26 in Bayonne, 20-21 against La Rochelle, then 29-27 in Castres. They then beat Vannes 28-10 with a try bonus in round four. Sunday’s defeat in Montpellier was their first heavy loss of the season, and the first time since January, at La Rochelle (66-0), that Toulon had finished a Top 14 game without scoring.

One of the best defences

With 115 points and 13 tries conceded, Toulon have the third-best defence in the Top 14, behind Stade Toulousain (90 points, 11 tries) and Montpellier (92 points, 12 tries). Before Sunday’s game, Toulon had conceded just 87 points in four rounds.

An attack with 13 tries

The problem lies with the ball in hand. Toulon have scored 101 points and 13 tries in five games. Only Castres have scored fewer points (100), and only Castres and Vannes have scored as few tries. Montpellier and Bayonne, on 20 tries each, have scored seven more, and UBB, the leading try-scoring side, have 29.

In Montpellier, Toulon failed to score in the first half despite several chances, then conceded 22 points after the break. Director of rugby Pierre Mignoni spoke at his press conference of “things that are not acceptable at this level”.

Two home games to respond

On eight points, including three losing bonuses, Toulon are only seven points clear of bottom side Vannes. They host Racing 92 on Saturday 10 October, then second-placed Pau on 24 October.