Investec Champions Cup
Gloucester (7) 14
Tries: Clement, Williams Cons: Barton 2
Toulon (21) 31
Tries: Drean 2, Ferte, Ludlam Cons: Domon 4 Pens: Domon
Gloucester are out of the Champions Cup after a disappointing 31-14 home defeat by Toulon.
The Cherry and Whites needed to beat the French Top 14 side to progress but the loss means they finish bottom of Pool Two and their European adventures are over for this campaign.
Three-time winners Toulon started well with impressive wingers Gael Drean and Mathis Ferte both on the scoresheet before Jack Clement replied for the hosts. Former Northampton and England flanker Lewis Ludlam then made it 21-7 at the break.
An opportunist score from Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams with 13 minutes remaining gave Gloucester hope but Toulon remained in control and sealed the bonus-point win with Drean’s second try in the 80th minute.
It was Drean who gave Toulon an eighth-minute lead, fending off George Barton before racing into the corner, and Ferte finished well on the other side of the pitch four minutes later to put the visitors 14-0 up.
Toulon were flooding forward with every opportunity and Ferte thought he had another soon after but the try was ruled out for a knock-on by England prop Kyle Sinckler earlier in the move.
Gloucester were firmly on the back foot in the early stages against the energetic visitors but scored their first points on the half-hour mark when Clement went over from a maul and Barton reduced the gap to seven.
But a catch-and-drive from a line-out gave Toulon their third score as Ludlam powered over on 36 minutes to put the French side in control at the interval.
Former Cherry and White back row Zach Mercer was booed throughout the evening by the Kingsholm crowd which enjoyed his attempt at a try coming up just short as he stretched for the line early in the second half.
Gloucester fell further behind to Marius Domon’s penalty which made it 24-7 shortly before the hour mark.
The classy Williams, who is leaving the West Country for Saracens next season, raced on to a kick and touched down over his shoulder for his side’s second try.
But Gloucester rarely threatened a stirring comeback and Toulon kept a firm grip on their lead before Drean crossed to settle matters.
Finishing bottom of the pool means elimination from all European competition this season for Gloucester. Had they finished fifth they would have gone into the Challenge Cup last 16.
Coming into the game, George Skivington’s men knew a bonus-point win would be enough to qualify for the latter stages of the Champions Cup and even a draw and a single bonus point would be enough to move above Munster to keep them involved in European competition.
But defeat marks the latest disappointment in what has been a difficult season for the Cherry and Whites.
They won once in four Champions Cup games and have just one victory in nine Prem matches this season, where they are currently sitting ninth, with only Newcastle Red Bulls below them.
Victory completed a West Country double for Toulon, who also beat Bath in Pool Two in December.
Toulon have a number of former England internationals and ex-Premiership stars in their ranks who have settled into life in the south of France very well.
Sinckler and David Ribbans were influential and Ludlam scored a try.
Former Bath and Gloucester back row Mercer was booed with his every touch by the home crowd but had the last laugh with victory, meaning his side finish second in the pool and will have a home tie in the last 16.
Gloucester: Barton; Hathaway, Butler, S Atkinson, Cotgreave; C Atkinson, Williams (capt); Bleuler, Crane, Laulala, Eite, Alemanno, Trenholm, Ludlow, Clement.
Replacements: Knowles, Rapava Ruskin, Knight, Gwynne, Venter, Austin, Byrne, Morris.
Toulon: Domon; Drean, Brex, Cowie, Ferte; Albornoz, White; Gros, Baubigny, Sinckler, Ribbans, Alainu’uese, Ludlam, Ollivon (capt), Mercer.
Replacements: Toevalu, Ametlla, Priso, Javakhia, Abadie, Serin, Garcia, Sinzelle.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ire)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ire), Keane Davison (Ire)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
