Wasps denied historic victory at Toulon by last-gasp Mitchell try
Distraught Wasps boss Dai Young rued his side’s failure to hold on for an historic European Champions Cup victory after a last-gasp Drew Mitchell try sent defending champions Toulon top of Pool Five courtesy of a 15-11 success yesterday.
Visiting No8 Guy Thompson had surged over with 10 minutes remaining to give Wasps an 11-8 lead, only for former Wallaby Mitchell to cross the line in the final play of the match.
Victory would have secured a quarter-final berth for Wasps, while Mitchell’s late intervention also preserved three-time champions Toulon’s record of never having lost at home in Europe’s premier competition.
“I’m absolutely gutted for the players,” said Young. “That’s heartbreaking for them. We talked before the game, saying let’s not go away from here with ifs, buts, maybes or any regrets. We said let’s give it our best shot and I couldn’t have asked for much more.”
Toulon can win Pool Five with a bonus-point win at Bath next weekend, while Wasps complete their group-stage campaign against Leinster at the Ricoh Arena.
The Top 14 side led 8-3 at the break courtesy, in part, to fly-half Quade Cooper’s touchdown before Jimmy Gopperth kicked his second penalty of the clash and Thompson’s try.