Section Paloise beat RC Toulon 32-12 in the 18th round of Top 14 at Stade du Hameau. The Béarnais forwards, led by Julian Montoya, overwhelmed their opponents in the second half. Toulon struggled with chronic indiscipline and absences for the Six Nations tournament.
Section Paloise rediscovered victory in Top 14 by thrashing RC Toulon 32-12 on Sunday evening at Stade du Hameau. After a humiliating loss to league leaders Toulouse the previous week, the Palois forwards showed a different side. Timid in the first half, they exploded in the second, led by Argentine international Julian Montoya, who scored two tries on carried balls in the 50th and 57th minutes. Delhommel's third try at the 80th sealed the win, keeping Sébastien Piqueronies' team unbeaten at home and widening the gap over third-placed Union Bordeaux Bègles.
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, released by Fabien Galthié's staff, shone in the air by recovering several high balls and was dynamic on the ground, with one break and three defenders beaten. For the Varois, Gabin Villière, back from injury for his second match of the season, was combative: he stole a ball early and scored the first try in the 8th minute on a solo effort.
Toulon, coached by Pierre Mignoni, started strongly for ten minutes before collapsing. Missing Ollivon, Serin, Gros, and Dréan, who stayed in Marcoussis to prepare for the Six Nations, RCT conceded 16 penalties, were crushed in the scrum, and dominated at the breakdown. Indiscipline peaked with a yellow card for Daniel Brennan late in the game, leading to the final try. French international prop Dany Priso had a tough night, ghostly in open play and overpowered in the scrum, before being replaced by Brennan. Despite this, Toulon remains in the top 6 and will face Clermont on February 14.
