As ever, thanks for your company this evening.
While the result is disappointing from a Leinster point of view there are positives for Leo Cullen to take from that.
Murray Kinsella’s match report, reaction and analysis to come on The42.
And that, as they say, is that.
An excellent first half from Leinster, their best of the season so far, is trampled on by the Toulon machine.
They just couldn’t live with the reigning champions when they turned it up.
Possible injuries to Te’o and Sexton could also prove costly ahead of an important festive schedule.
FT: Leinster 16 Toulon 20
Leinster win a penalty, great kick from Madigan takes Leinster to half-way. Surely not??
No try given.
Leinster with a scrum on their own 5m line.
Gorgodze has touched down but Barnes has gone to the TMO to check for a knock-on.
Nick McCarthy on for his Champions Cup debut at scrum-half. Last year’s Ireland Under-20 captain.
Jordi Murphy sinbinned for illegally bringing down Toulon maul as the champions chase a bonus point.
To be fair to Toulon, they have been outstanding in the second half; an effort of true champions.
Madigan and Healy starting to inject some life into Leinster but then comes a handling error from Nacewa after a no-look pass by Kirchner.
Leinster need their replacements to contribute like their opposite numbers now.
Five minutes to play.
Leinster 16 Toulon 20, Taylor penalty
One look at the Leinster bench shows how tough they have found this second period. Jamie Heaslip is desperate for air (Jordi Murphy has replaced him), Sexton looks despondent.
Toulon, via Tom Taylor, kicking for the posts.
They’re halfway there at least, although defending a lineout.
Huge penalty for Leinster, better scrum. Now they just need to make their way up the length of the field to find a winner – easy eh?
And that’s without one J Sexton.
If this were a fight, and it’s an appropriate analogy considering this evening’s events, Leinster are looking groggy in the eighth and a stoppage is on the cards.
It’s hard to see them coming back to win this; but all it takes is one punch the other guy doesn’t see coming.
From bad to worse, Sexton has now been substituted – surely not another injury?
And to rub further salt into the wounds on comes Georgian superstar Mamuka Gorgodze.
The first half feels a lifetime ago now.
Leinster pay the price for a couple of poor tactical kicks; Toulon look a different side in the second half and Leinster can’t live with their power.
Their substitutions have made a big difference.
Having said that, the impressive Taylor has failed to add the extras.
Leinster 16 Toulon 17, Etrillard try
Can’t help put feel that Leinster need to take a page out of the O’Gara manual; a kick in behind Toulon would at least put them on the backfoot and in their own territory.
Leinster looking for an aerial kicking battle but this is bread and butter to Taylor; he has looked excellent since being introduced. That’s why he was once third choice fly-half in New Zealand.
Leinster finally back in Toulon territory. They could really do with slowing this down and keeping it tight. Twenty minutes to play.
The pressure finally told, Leinster just can’t deal with the power of Toulon’s improving front row. That is surely disappointing from a Leinster and Ireland perspective that three Irish internationals are torn apart so devastatingly in the scrum.
Game on.
Leinster 16 Toulon 12, penalty try
Another scrum penalty for Toulon. They pack down again – a yellow or penalty try can’t be far off.
But he is just held up – a 5m scrum now.
This looks like a case of when, not if, Toulon will score.
From hero to zero, Cronin overshoots his resulting throw straight to Vermeulen.
We’re now checking with the TMO for a try.
Mitchell is almost over in the corner but Cronin makes an incredible tackle to put the Australian winger’s knee in touch.
Leinster hanging on a bit here.
Leinster’s substitute front-row under pressure in the scrum – Toulon win an attacking penalty and go for another scrum.
This one is huge.
Leinster defending desperately; Toulon had numbers out wide but make a mess of it. The final ball is dropped by Mitchell, although he still had plenty to do. Leinster could do with a bit of territory.
Toulon have an attacking lineout after Dave Kearney went off his feet following some excellent counter-rucking.
Inpho Photography also playing a blinder today.
If the first half was all about the quick feet of Fitzgerald and the excellence of the back row, the second stanza is showing off Leinster’s defensive organisation and hunger to put things right.
And it pays off – Nacewa and Sexton in the thick of it as Leinster turn it over.
Leinster standing up physically now – tackling with heart and discipline
Cian Healy and Sean Cronin both also on for Leinster
Former All Black Tom Taylor on for Delon Armitage at full-back for Toulon
Missed penalty from Eric Escande
Even Ulster fans are enjoying the action at the Aviva.
Fitzgerald giving Nonu a torrid time in midfield. However, next phase sees Bastareaud absolutely flatten Rob Kearney with a man and ball tackle – what a monster.
And we’re back under way for the second period
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has been impressed by Leinster today, highlighting their linespeed and accuracy as major improvements.
Wasps and Bath must be enjoying this.
A Leinster win here would see Toulon trail Bath by four points and Wasps by eight.
It’s been an incredible performance to date by the six English sides.
As it stands; Saracens (top Group 1), Exeter (top Group 2), Northampton (second in Group 3), Leicester (top Group 4), Wasps (top Group 5), Bath (second Group 5).
That was excellent from Leinster, just what the doctor ordered.
Toulon haven’t played like three-time European champions; they have looked disjointed and have only showed glimmers of their ability.
This second-half is set up perfectly, it should be a thrilling half of rugby.
HT: Leinster 16 Toulon 5
Sexton makes no mistake.
Ian Madigan has come on for Ben Te’o who left the field with injury.
Leinster 16 Toulon 5, Sexton pen
Delon Armitage has been punished for a cheap shot on Reddan off the ball. That’s silly from a man who has been around for as long as he has.
Sexton has an opportunity to extend Leinster’s lead to 11.
Great turnover from Sexton as Toulon are building momentum.
Fitzgerald leaves Nonu for dead with a stunning step only for Ruddock to pass it forward to Reddan in the next phase.
That was almost like flashy Leinster of old.
Crowd definitely getting their money’s worth so far.
Some great pressure by Reddan and van der Flier on the Toulon scrum earns Leinster a penalty.
Toulon look dangerous in broken play and on the floor but have looked impotent elsewhere.
Leinster 13 Toulon 5, Sexton pen
Penalty count now Leinster 7 Toulon 1. Sextonlooks to increase the lead from straight in front on the 22.
Leinster’s back-row have played a starring role so far. While they have lost a couple at the breakdown, all three men (Ruddock, van der Flier and Heaslip) have been effective carriers and have got through a mountain of tackles.
Toulon defended this one much better, Leinster fail to get the shove on in the maul and the French side win a scrum.
Penalty Leinster for a tackle with no arms from Guilhem Guirado - just a penalty, Barnes saw nothing malicious in it.
Leinster with another attacking line-out. It’s been an entertaining game so far.
Toulon barrell their way over after some sustained pressure. Carry after carry seemed to tire Leinster before Nacewa bolted out of the line for the intercept; he missed the ball though and Smith had an easy score.
Toulon fail to add the extras.
Leinster 10 Toulon 5, try Juan Smith
Toulon have just had their passage of play and they have been rewarded by Barnes with a penalty in the Leinster 22.
Giteau putting Toulon into the corner.
Mike Ross has had to go off with injury. Marty Moore replaces him as Leinster’s tight-head.
Scrum just off Leinster’s 10m line should be interesting to see what effect it has.
Murray has been impressed with Fitzgerald’s contribution in midfield. Who do you think has been starring for Leo Cullen’s side?
Leinster still moving the ball quickly but any time their runners get isolated they look like they will be dominated physically up high and on the ground.
This Toulon side, of course, can rack up the points before you know it – so Leinster will need to stay smart for the full 80 minutes.
Great lineout maul from the home side. Van der Flier touches down but Wayne Barnes rules the maul was pulled down illegally and he awards the penalty try; making Sexton’s conversion a gimme.
Leinster 10 Toulon 0, penalty try
Much better scrum from Leinster.
Te’o has run at Nonu on a number of occasions – car crash comes to mind.
Toulon still keeping them out, slowing the ball but they are giving away plenty of penalties. They’d want to be careful or they could find themselves down to 13 soon enough.
Fitzgerald tries to go over the top with the final pass out left but Habana gets a hand to it. Good work from the winger. Another attacking Leinster scrum on the way.
Messy scrum from Leinster but they still have the ball only metres out
Much better from Leinster, a huge hit from milestone man McCarthy sees the ball spill loose for Fitzgerald to hack up-field from his 22.
Toulon then under pressure in their own 22 and the big Springbok back-rower is forced into conceding a penalty.
Leinster decide to take a scrum, just five metres out.
Penalty Leinster, yellow to Vermeulen
Leinster starting to compete at the breakdown a bit better. Toulon look very disorganised – making a lot of sloppy errors.
Leinster 3 Toulon 0, Sexton pen
Scrappy game so far. Leinster though have a chance to get the first points of the game.
Richardt Strauss wins a penalty at the breakdown, Sexton has a shot from 30 metres out, right in front.
Some great play by Dave Kearney in his 22. He collects a kick, drops a side-step and hoofs it upfield.
Isa Nacewa then had a chip kick over the top on the Toulon 22. Leinster fans felt he was taken out but it looked like there was nothing much in it.
A beautiful spiral kick from Sexton puts Leinster on the opposition 10m line – much more like it from the fly-half.
Reddan has looked lively around the ruck but Leinster getting dominated at the breakdown once again. This game still hasn’t really settled down.
Leinster looking to play the ball quickly at all times, trying to unsettle Toulon
Toulon lineout still looking ropey. Leinster have been throwing it about early on but making little ground against a physical Toulon defence.
A sloppy kick out on the full from Toulon sees Leinster get an attacking lineout on the Toulon 22.
And we’re under way at the Aviva
Leinster second-row Mike McCarthy playing his 300th professional game of rugby today – what an achievement.
This is a big night for Leinster rugby. Facing some of the world’s best players; a big performance could be a turning-point in their season.
Leo Cullen hoping for “a great occasion in front of 45,000 people”.
“I thought we did a lot of good things last week. We just didn’t capitalise on our opportunities,” he said.
“We need to be a little more controlled when we have the ball.”
The42‘s Murray Kinsella is at the Aviva this evening and hoping for an exciting contest.
No late changes at the Aviva with kick-off just 40 minutes away.
A reminder of how things stand
And a reminder of today’s teams (KO 5.15, Aviva Stadium)
Leinster:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Dave Kearney
13. Ben Te’o
12. Luke Fitzgerald
11. Isa Nacewa (captain)
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Michael Bent
18. Marty Moore
19. Tom Denton
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Ian Madigan
23. Zane Kirchner
Toulon:
15. Delon Armitage
14. Bryan Habana
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Drew Mitchell
10. Matt Giteau (captain)
9. Eric Escande
1. Florian Fresia
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Matt Stevens
4. Jocelino Suta
5. Romain Taofifenua
6. Juan Smith
7. Steffon Armitage
8. Duane Vermeulen
Replacements:
16. Anthony Etrillard
17. Xavier Chiocci
18. Levan Chilachava
19. Mamuka Gorgodze
20. Juan Fernandez Lobbe
21. Tom Taylor
22. Sebastien Tillous-Borde
23. Konstantine Mikautadze
Some pre-match reading to get you ready
Toulon back to where it all began
Cian Healy free to play against Toulon after EPCR suspend two-week suspension
20-year-old McCarthy set for Leinster debut off bench against Toulon
‘I don’t think the results have changed anything, I don’t feel any additional pressure’
Leinster unable to upset off colour Toulon to remain winless in Europe
HELLO AND WELCOME to today’s Champions Cup live blog.
Leo Cullen’s charges will be desperate to deliver a big performance after three disappointing defeats to begin this year’s campaign.
Kick-off is just one hour away so get yourself comfortable.
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