The step was too high for the RCT beaten by Bordeaux (39-24)

Trailing by five at half-time, Rugby Club Toulonnais had every hope in this Top 14 semi-final. Except that the "red and black" would take the full brunt of Bordeaux's dominance in the second half.

Yannick Bru's men prey on the slightest Var foul. Like this forward pass from Sinzelle to Jaminet. Thus, M. Caire whistles a scrum for UBB on the Var 22m line.

Three minutes later, Lamothe scored a brace that was, to say the least, avoidable (22-10 in the 45th minute). Worse, six minutes later, Halagahu committed a deliberate knock-on five meters from his try line.

With a power play, Penaud scored his team's fourth try (29-10).

The break is complete. Toulon has its head in the bag, and Bordeaux continues to accelerate. Lamothe scores his hat trick (36-10 in the 55th minute). The "red and black" are no longer responding, morally or physically. UBB has all the balls and spends its time in the Var camp.

It's tough for the RCT, who nevertheless take advantage of a break in the 59th minute to regain their strength. Pierre Mignoni makes numerous substitutions (entering Domont, White, Le Corvec, Alainu'uese, Villière) which seem to be beneficial. Tuicuvu reduces the score (36-17, 62nd), but there are too many imperfections in the Var's play to hope for a comeback.

By the 70th minute of play, RCT had already committed 16 forwards compared to 7 for Bordeaux. A statistic that proves the difficulty the "red and black" have in establishing their game. Gigashvilli saved the honor at the very end of the match (39-24).

The Varois' season thus ends against the reigning European champion who will challenge Stade Toulousain next Saturday in the Top 14 final at the Stade de France.