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Toulon are the 2023 European Challenge Cup Champions. The French Top 14 side defeated Scotland side the Glasgow Warriors 43-17 in the Final on Friday in Dublin, Ireland. It was revenge of sorts after Toulon lost the 2022 Final to Lyon.
Toulon’s title win featured a try to the great Sergio Parisse. Considered the biggest ever loss to Argentina, Parisse has played for Italy since 2002. His debut was at the age of 18. It happened shortly after he had moved from his native Argentina to Italy.
Now in 2023 there is the real possibility that Parisse will pull on the Italian uniform for a final World Cup. Should he do so then Parisse will become the first player to play in six Rugby World Cup.
Parisse’s try against Glasgow came early. His 18th minute score saw the second of the night for Toulon. The Glasgow Warriors were 24-0 down in the second half. Their second try went to former Puma Sebastián Cancelliere. It came in the 69th minute when the result was over.
Cancelliere was joined in the Glasgow Warriors starting line-up by another Puma. Domingo Miotti played fly half for the Scots. Both players are out of favor for Los Pumas but have been playing well recently.
One player certain to feature for Argentina in 2023 and at the World Cup is Facundo Isa. The back-rower from Santiago del Estero joined Parisse in winning the Challenge Cup title. Isa featured after having been in doubt.
Isa, Parisse and Toulon now turn their attention back to the Top 14. Toulon face Bordeaux in the final round of the regular season. The May 28 fixture will be followed by the play-offs.
