First European final for the LOU
The Stade Vélodrome in Marseille is hosting the European final for the second time. In 2010, Marseille set a record attendance of 48,990 spectators for a Challenge Cup final. The Cardiff Blues had dominated RC Toulon.
RC Toulon will play its 4th Challenge Cup final. A record shared with ASM Clermont, Bath, Harlequins and Gloucester. But the Var club has already lost in the three previous attempts. In 2010, at the same place, the Toulonnais were beaten by Cardiff 28 to 21. Rebelote in 2012, beaten by nothing by Biarritz Olympique 21-18. Last unsuccessful attempt in 2020, in Aix-en-Provence, where Bristol had dominated the final 32-19. Will the fourth attempt be the right one?
Four players have already registered the Challenge Cup on their list. In Lyon, it’s hooker Mickael Ivaldi, crowned with Montpellier in 2016. There are three on the Toulon side: Sergio Parisse and Raphaël Lakafia, in the colors of Stade Français Paris in 2017, and Quinn Roux, in the jersey of Leinster in 2013.
RC Toulon can become the fifth club in history to win both the Challenge Cup and the Champions Cup (three times crowned). Bath, Leinster, Northampton and Wasps have already achieved this double.
This Lyon-Toulon poster is the 7th between two French clubs in the Challenge Cup final.
At the end of the final, the Challenge Cup will engrave a new name on the trophy, the 17th, the LOU and the RCT having never won this competition.
Toulon winger Gervais Cordin is the player who has beaten the most defenders this season: 19 in just four games!
Lyon have won their 7 Challenge Cup matches this season, averaging 30 points per game. RC Toulon has won 5 of its 6 Challenge Cup matches this season, conceding its only defeat against Biarritz Olympique (20-17).
Lyon opener Léo Berdeu is the best scorer this season in the Challenge Cup, with a total of 61 points (in six matches).
LOU’s Georgian winger Davit Niniashvili is the player who has covered the most meters this season in the Challenge Cup.
