Like the case of Stade Rochelais with Hastoy, Reus and West, Toulon is in much the same impasse with its openers. Enzo Hervé, Dan Biggar, Paolo Garbisi: none of these three names really stood out since the start of the season in the mind of Pierre Mignoni.
However, we will have to install a guy in the role of conductor in the Harbor, and this, before the final phases. Just to gain a little collective experience and obtain a well-oiled offensive animation. But how did we get there and above all, what solutions are available to the Var staff?
Paolo Garbisi, the boss announced
Arriving from Montpellier during last season, the Italian ended the year rather well with the RCT. Everything suggested that he would have the number 10 on his back for the 2024/2025 financial year. Out of form since September, the transalpine fly-half no longer weighs as much on defenses and has lost his precision with his foot. Leaving the door ajar for its competitors
Enzo Hervé, l’outsider
Long shunned by Mignoni, the former Brive player is nevertheless the RCT opener with the most playing time in the Top 14 since the start of the season (410′ compared to 364 for Garbisi). In addition, he is successful against the poles with 60 points scored against only 18 for the Italian. With confidence, Hervé attacks the advantage line better and has driven the Toulon truck quite well since the start of the season.
RUGBY. In sight with Toulon, will Enzo Hervé join another Top 14 star?
But curiously, Mignoni chose to place him on the bench for the two Champions Cup group matches, only offering him 14 minutes of playing time. Should we see this as a sign for the coming weeks in the championship?
Biggar, unexpected return
If there’s one player we expected more of, it’s Dan Biggar. The Welshman, completely overwhelmed for two seasons, has had a series of poor performances and injuries. Very disappointing since his arrival, he has nevertheless bounced back well in recent weeks.
Starting for the trip to the Stormers, he played an excellent game and was valuable in the occupation game, suffocating the South Africans. He was one of the players in the Varois’ remarkable victory (24-14). Finally released with concussion, will the 35-year-old fly-half have the capacity to come back and, above all, to play in high-level matches?
Jaminet, the chef’s surprise
No one saw this one coming! According to our information, Melvyn Jaminet has been training as a fly-half since the start of the season and could well be THE solution to Mignoni’s problem. It would be quite a gamble knowing that the international full-back has never started a match in this position as a professional. But with a return planned for January and Marius Domon performing well in 15, this option is tempting. To see if this will only remain an experiment or if it will become a new card in the staff’s game. In the meantime, we will have to find a holder at the opening, at least until the end of January.
