JOIN THE OUEUE

Rugby World heads to the French Riviera to visit the four latest English expats trying to become Toulon legends

- words JOSH GRAHAM // photoshoot ALICE ALPHREY

IF YOU weren't already aware, rugby in Toulon is quite a big deal. “In particular, being down in the South, it’s very emotional,” explains David Ribbans, who has served as co-captain alongside former France skipper Charles Ollivon. “Every win is like winning the World Cup and every loss is like getting relegated from the Top 14. “The emotion is quite up and down here because the fans are incredible - when you win, should we say... The supporters are super passionate down here. “Rugby is huge in the South; this region is rugby-mad. For them, Toulon is everything. It’s a town that doesn’t have a lot of money, but everyone gives everything to buy tickets and come to support us. “The passion is something that, if you’re not aware of it before you come, can be quite intimidating, especially as a foreigner. “They can be harsh on foreigners; they expect you to do a job. But with all those things, you also get an amazing atmosphere. The stadium is incredible and the campus is an incredible place to train every day.” We can vouch for the latter after spending the day chatting to the club’s English contingent at their state-of-the-art training centre, which includes an onsite brasserie, recommended to us by the players for lunch. If only their hunger for silverware was so easy to satisfy.

Not since Jonny Wilkinson retired in a blaze of Top 14 glory in 2014 have Toulon been crowned French champions. Pierre Mignoni’s men finished third in the regular season last year, behind Toulouse, who went on to lift their third straight Bouclier de Brennus, and Bordeaux-Bègles, who beat them in the semifinal before losing the big dance against Jack Willis and Co. However, Bordeaux did beat Northampton 28-20 in Cardiff to be crowned Investec Champions Cup winners for the first time.