Mallia‘s Hat-Trick Not Enough as Toulon Suffers Historic Defeat to Toulouse
Toulon, France – October 27, 2025 – Despite a spirited comeback fueled by a hat-trick from fullback Ange Capuozzo Mallia, Rugby Club Toulonnais (RCT) endured another crushing defeat at the hands of Stade Toulousain, falling 39-14 in their Top 14 clash on October 26, 2025. The loss marks the third consecutive league match against Toulouse where RCT has conceded over 160 points, raising serious questions about their defensive capabilities and strategic approach.
The recurring humiliation against their rivals underscores a widening gap in performance, wiht RCT consistently finding themselves outmatched and outmaneuvered. This latest setback intensifies pressure on the Toulon coaching staff and players to address fundamental issues before their next league fixture. The defeat also has implications for their playoff aspirations, as consistent losses to top-tier opponents will severely hamper their chances of securing a favorable position in the standings.
Mallia’s three tries offered a glimmer of hope for the home side, but proved insufficient to overcome Toulouse’s dominance. Meanwhile, RCT hooker Anthony Marchand led all players with a remarkable number of carries, demonstrating individual effort within a struggling team framework. however, a thirty-minute period playing with a numerical disadvantage, stemming from yellow cards, proved decisive, gifting Toulouse notable momentum and scoring opportunities. As one observer noted, “Giving so much ammunition to an opponent like Toulouse, by finding yourself numerically inferior for thirty minutes, is like shooting yourself… in both feet.”
Tops:
* Ange Capuozzo Mallia (RCT): Scored a hat-trick, providing the only luminous spot in an otherwise dismal performance for Toulon.
* Anthony Marchand (RCT): Dominated the carry count, showcasing individual determination despite the team’s struggles.
* Stade Toulousain: Demonstrated consistent dominance, notably capitalizing on RCT’s disciplinary issues and defensive vulnerabilities.
Flops:
* RCT Discipline: Multiple yellow cards left the team vulnerable and allowed Toulouse to build an insurmountable led.
* RCT Defense: Conceded over 160 points in each of their last three league matches against Toulouse, highlighting a systemic defensive failure.
