Champions Cup – Notes from Toulon – Harlequins: Baptiste Serin delighted Mayol, Esteban Abadie got in tune

The tops

Before the match, Baptiste Serin showed his great motivation. The RCT playing master was determined to play for “Charles and all the absentees (Fainga’anuku, Tuicuvu, Baubigny)”. As is often the case, the scrum half did not lie. He behaved like a true leader for his team and, as usual, he was decisive. On the second Var try, he allowed himself a brilliant factor feint on Hammond, who is still looking for the devil of Parentis. Courageous in defense, he caused the temporary exclusion of Chisholm, guilty of a clearing with his forearm in the throat. In numerical superiority, Toulon will have scored two more tries, thus offering itself the offensive bonus before the end of the first act. It will be difficult for the staff of the XV of France to do without the Toulonnais, who appears in the form of his life.

Returning from a calf injury barely two weeks ago, the third wing has recovered his role as if nothing had happened. On the sidelines, he excelled again, proving valuable for his family and diabolical for others (two stolen munitions). He multiplied in the offensive phase where he was present in the lane, to showcase his speed and his hand quality, as in the upwind game. It was also in this sector, in support of Dany Priso, that he managed to score Toulon’s third try. Brilliant in all the tasks of a third line, he even managed to make people forget the absence of Charles Ollivon. He came out at the end of the game, suffering from cramps.

Also read: Toulon continues its flawless performance against Harlequins and qualifies

Returning somewhat to the low point in recent weeks, the rear showed that he had character. He was put to the test by the candles of Marcus Smith and Will Porter. With impressive dexterity, despite opposing pressure, he won his aerial duels to relieve his teammates. In the first half, at the height of Harlequins’ domination, he scratched two penalties thanks to effective and well-felt scratches. Important sequences which allowed the Rouge et Noir to reverse the standoff. In the second half, he made a decisive tackle as the last defender. A gesture which was welcomed by the Mayol public. One month before Melvyn Jaminet’s return to competition, the player trained in Toulon sent a message to Pierre Mignoni in a crucial game.