Gloucester Rugby’s Champions Cup hopes were dashed following a 31-14 home loss to French giants Toulon, marking the end of their campaign with just one victory in Pool 2.
Toulon clinched the win thanks to tries from Mathis Ferte, Lewis Ludlam, and a brace from Gael Drean. Gloucester’s only points came from a successful boot by George Barton and a try finished by Tomos Williams, supported by strong carries from Jack Clement. Despite some determined efforts, Gloucester lacked the cutting edge required to challenge Toulon’s defense and showed signs of losing composure on key occasions.
Rugby analyst Jack Tozer reviews the individual performances from the Cherry and Whites in what was an underwhelming display:
READ MORE: Pair Arrested After Altercation and Car Crash in Gloucester
READ MORE: Our Yorkshire Farm’s Amanda Owen Shares Daughter’s Dramatic Lamb Rescue
George Barton (15) – 5
Although Barton struggled defensively, allowing Toulon crucial breaks, his reliability with the boot, converting both his chances, made him one of Gloucester’s more effective players.
Josh Hathaway (14) – 5
Hathaway was quieter in attack but vocally active, guiding teammates and showing flashes of potential despite an uncharacteristic error in the second half. His Champions Cup experience remains invaluable for development.
Will Butler (13) – 4
Butler had a subdued outing and was substituted midway through the second half, overshadowed by centre partner Atkinson’s more frequent involvement.
Seb Atkinson (12) – 6
Atkinson was at the heart of most Gloucester attacks, consistently driving forward with power and determination. His physical approach made him one of the team’s standout performers.
Jack Cotgreave (11) – 4
Cotgreave found limited opportunities and was frequently stopped in his carries. While he contested aerial battles, success was scarce.
Charlie Atkinson (10) – 6
Despite limited attacking opportunities, Atkinson’s defensive work was critical. His timely tackles embodied the fighting spirit praised by coach George Skivington.
Tomos Williams (9) – 6
Williams brought moments of flair, particularly in scoring Gloucester’s second try, showcasing his ability to turn difficult chances into points.
Dian Bleuler (1) – 4
The scrum eventually faltered under Toulon’s pressure, reflected in Bleuler’s quiet and error-prone performance leading to an early substitution.
Will Crane (2) – 5
Crane’s lineout throws remained mostly accurate, despite some errors, earning a mixed reception from the crowd.
Nepo Laulala (3) – 4
Laulala struggled as the scrum came under increasing pressure, with limited impact in open play.
Danny Eite (4) – 6
Returning from injury, Eite battled through a challenging game, showing resilience despite an ankle knock, delivering a steady performance in the engine room.
Matias Alemanno (5) – 5
Alemanno’s performance was marred by some handling lapses, particularly in lineouts, highlighting an area requiring improvement for set-piece reliability.
Will Trenholm (6) – 6
Trenholm was active around the pitch, notable for a break in the second half, yet he, like much of the team, couldn’t consistently influence the game.
Lewis Ludlow (7) – 5
Ludlow provided his trademark defensive intensity but had a quieter day overall in terms of ball carrying and impact.
Jack Clement (8) – 7
Clement was Gloucester’s most impactful forward, showing determination and strength, particularly when peeling from the maul for Gloucester’s opening try. His early exit was a blow to Gloucester’s chances in the latter stages.
Replacements offered limited spark, with scores between 4 and 5, reflecting the team’s overall struggle to find momentum.
In summary, Gloucester’s performance lacked the composure and creativity needed at this level, which Toulon exploited to secure a comprehensive victory.