Bathtub began their Champions Cup marketing campaign with an emphatic win over Munster final weekend, whereas three-time champions Toulon had been trying to bounce again after a poor defeat in Edinburgh.

Van Graan introduced in 20-year-old Vilikesa Sela to switch injured England prop Will Stuart as Bathtub went toe to toe with Toulon’s imposing pack.

Finn Russell’s penalty kick gave Bathtub the lead however second row ahead Brian Alainu’uese muscled over from a line-out transfer to place the hosts forward.

Each side traded penalties earlier than Ted Hill burrowed between two defenders from a faucet penalty to briefly give Bathtub the lead.

After Mateo Garcia’s penalty levelled the scores at 13-13, three-time European champions Toulon regained the lead. Former Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler powered in direction of the posts earlier than being hauled down, Toulon moved the ball large and Juan Ignacio Brex strolled over.

Toulon thought that they had scored once more within the closing motion of the primary half, however Bathtub held the ball as much as preserve the deficit to 5 factors.

Garcia kicked one other penalty because the hosts began to dominate up entrance within the second half however Bathtub dug deep to be in contact.

Scrum-half Tom Carr-Smith, making his first European begin rather than captain Ben Spencer, was concerned as Santiago Carreras dived over for the guests’ second attempt.

Russell’s conversion closed the hole to at least one level however again got here Toulon. Sinckler once more performed a outstanding function with a surging run and Toulon labored the ball to the fast Drean, who restored the house facet’s eight-point cushion.

Bathtub turned to their bench and substitute Arthur Inexperienced grounded the ball from shut vary to chop the deficit.

However Ludlam buried over for Toulon’s bonus-point attempt from a five-metre scrum, and Garcia’s steely conversion from the touchline prolonged their result in eight factors as soon as once more.

Hennessey’s attempt confirmed Bathtub’s resilience however a Toulon maul proved to be unstoppable because the hosts sealed victory.