Edinburgh shock Toulon in bonus-point Champions Cup victory

Investec Champions Cup

Edinburgh (18) 33

Tries: Schoeman, Vellacott, Penalty Try, Venter Cons: Scott Pens: Scott 3

Toulon (17) 20

Tries: White 2 Cons: Jaminet 2 Pens: Garcia Drop Goals: Jaminet

Edinburgh shocked French giants Toulon on their return to the Champions Cup, racking up a bonus-point win in foul conditions at the Hive.

Scores from Pierre Schoeman, Ben Vellacott and Boan Venter, as well as a penalty try, helped the hosts recover from Toulon's fast start to record a stunning victory and ease the pressure on head coach Sean Everitt.

Not only did the capital side come into this one in shaky form, but they also named a fairly young team that included 19-year-old tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, making his full pro debut.

Up against a Toulon side that boasted regular internationals, including Scotland scrum-half Ben White and France loosehead Jean-Baptiste Gros, it seemed like a potential mismatch.

And, after the opening seven minutes in which the visitors raced into a 10-point lead thanks to Melvyn Jaminet's drop goal and White's converted try, Edinburgh fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst.

But instead their side produced a 70-minute performance that stunned Toulon, who currently sit second in the Top 14.

Edinburgh managed to reduce the arrears and level the score by the 15-minute mark as Cammy Scott slotted from the tee before Schoeman crashed over from short range.

They went behind again, though, as White showed intelligence to take a quick tap penalty and shoot low towards the line like an unstoppable torpedo. Jaminet added the simple conversion and the lead was seven points again.

By half-time, the hosts would be ahead. Edinburgh's scrum was starting to march Toulon back - a surprise given Toulon's scrum dominance in the Top 14.

That led to a penalty, which led to a kick to the corner, which led to the excellent Ewan Ashman playing a cat-flap pass to Vellacott, who dived over in the corner.

Although Scott - the 24-year-old making just his third pro start at fly-half - missed the conversion, he added another penalty to give Edinburgh a one-point lead at the break.

The second half was dominated by Edinburgh. Managing the conditions far better than their French opposition, Scott's kicking from hand relieved pressure and got his side up the pitch.

There were momentum swings, though. Edinburgh had a Darcy Graham try chalked off for a knock-on further back in the play and traded penalties with Toulon while being unable to shake them.

Things would change when England lock David Ribbans aimed an open-palm at the face of Liam McConnell - the 21-year old who was named player of the match. Ribbans was sent to the bin and in his absence Toulon conceded a penalty try.

That was also down to the introduction of Venter, instrumental in the Edinburgh scrum that was pushing Toulon back over their own line. He would add his name to the scoresheet with five minutes left with a try that allowed home fans to truly believe.

Similar to Schoeman, it was a burrowed effort from close range after waves of Edinburgh attack, and gave the hosts the bonus try and an unassailable lead.

Edinburgh: Paterson, Graham, Goosen, Lang, Van der Merwe; Scott, Vellacott; Schoeman, Ashman, O Blyth-Lafferty, Sykes, Gilchrist, McConnell, Richardson, Bradbury.

Replacements: Morris, Venter, Hill, Young, Douglas, Shiel, Thompson, O'Conor.

Toulon: Jaminet, Drean, Brex, Sinzelle, Ferte; Garbisi, White; Gros, Baubigny, Sinckler, Ribbans, Alainu'uese, Ludlam, Abadie, Mercer.

Replacements: Toevalu, Amtella, Priso, Mezou, Quere Karaba, Serin, Garcia, Smaili.