Glasgow Warriors’ Challenge Cup Final opponents confirmed

Toulon will provide the opposition at the Aviva Stadium on the evening of Friday 19th May

30 April 2023 David Barnes Glasgow Warriors, News, Pro Game 7
Brian Alainu’uese is expected to be one of the familiar faces in Toulon's squad for Challenge Cup Final. Image: © Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk
Brian Alainu’uese is expected to be one of the familiar faces in Toulon's squad for Challenge Cup Final. Image: © Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk

GLASGOW WARRIORS will face Toulon in the final of the Challenge Cup at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on the evening of Friday 19th May, kicking-off at 8pm, after the French side defeated Benetton 23-0 in their semi-final this [Sunday] afternoon despite losing flanker Charles Ollivion to a red-card after only six minutes.

There is set to be a few familiar faces for Scottish fans in the Toulon line-up in three weekends’ time, with former Warriors second-row Brian Alainu’uese and former Edinburgh back-row Cornell du Preez both playing a role in yesterday’s win.

Other big names in the star-studded Toulon squad are legendry Italian No 8 Sergio Parisse, Welsh stand-off Dan Biggar and South African flyer Cheslin Kolbe.

Toulon currently sit fifth in the French Top 14 league with 13 wins from 23 matches played.

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About David Barnes 3383 Articles
David has worked as a freelance rugby journalist since 2004 covering every level of the game in Scotland for publications including he Herald/Sunday Herald, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday/Evening News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday and The Sun.

7 Comments

  1. Watched the match yesterday – whilst they have 2 of the best wings in the game they are not just a flash side who throw the ball around. Have a big powerful pack and hardly gave Benetton a sniff even with 14 men for most of the game. The fact they kept them to zero shows how strong their defence is. They also have a good half back pair with Bigger and Serin who managed the game well.

    So as you would expect a tough team but its a final and at the Aviva Glasgow should have a 50:50 chance.

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  2. Should be a cracker. Franc Azema has helped turn round Toulon’s poor run of form and moulded them into a dangerous outfit.
    Parisse will want to sign off his immense career with a trophy and Glasgow will be determined to win their first Challenge cup.
    If Ollivon is unavailable due to suspension then it will be advantage to the Weege.

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  3. Bit less of a known quantity than Benetton with some very good players in their team. I think they are currently 5th in the Top 14 so definitely not invincible on a neutral ground.

    Lets hope we dont pick up any more injuries in the Munster game and can put out a full strength team to test them.

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  4. Two teams who have rarely played each other, if we can keep in the game for the 1st 20 minutes we can win. Toulon do have one disadvantage Bigger. I just hope Jones is fit and Gray as well and that Horne starts at 9 along with Mathews at 2.

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    • I get that Scottish fans dislike Biggar but he’s an immensely experienced British Lion. Glasgow’s FH is Tom Jordan, who has had a great breakthrough season but isn’t in the same class.

      I hope Glasgow can live with Toulon’s more illustrious teamsheet; it’s a step up from knocking out dragons and scarlets, that’s for sure.

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