Takulua Hopes Final Will Be A Launchpad For Future Honours
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Tongan and Toulon scrumhalf Tane Takulua hopes that Friday night’s European Rugby Challenge Cup final will be a launchpad for bigger honours next season.
Toulon have won the Champions Cup on three occasions and will return to the competition in 2020/21, after finishing fourth in the cancelled 2019/20 Top 14 season, and are currently joint third in the new domestic campaign.
“A trophy would mean a lot for the team,” the scrum-half said of their final with Bristol Bears at Aix-en-Provence.
“It would bring more confidence to the club in what we are trying to achieve this year and next year.”
Friday’s game is particularly special for the experienced Tongan international, as it is his first European final and comes less than eight months after joining the French club from English Championship side Newcastle Falcons.
“I’m really happy we made it to the final,” said Takulua, who played in every minute of Toulon’s quarter-final and semi-final successes. “I’m really looking forward to it. It would be good to go out and win this cup.”
Commenting on Bristol's style of play, the 29-year-old admitted Toulon would be up to speed their tactics come kick-off at Stade Maurice-David.
“When we knew we were going to be playing against Bristol, we got our heads round them and learned a little bit more about them, and what they’re capable of,” he said.
