Wayne Pivac has claimed his Scarlets teams were denied a chance to topple Toulon due to a poor call from referee Alex Ruiz .
The Scarlets head coach was critical of the decision not to award what would have been a crucial try for Steffan Evans as his team were beaten 31-20 in the European Champions Cup on Sunday.
The Welsh region more than played their part at Stade Felix Mayol but Pivac felt Evans’ second-half effort, which would have potentially reduced the deficit to four points, should not have been ruled out.
Referee Ruiz, in consultation with the TMO, decided not to award the try for a knock on by Scott Williams in the build-up but Pivac felt it was a legitimate effort.
“There was a massive swing in the game at 24-13 and I thought the try was a fair try,” he said. “I was frustrated and I thought it was a good try.
“At 24-20 we were in the game. As it turned out there were a couple of errors that allowed them to get in for a try.
“I thought we created a lot of opportunities, but we didn’t finish them and weren’t clinical enough. I’m a little bit frustrated.”
Pivac’s side played an expansive game for the whole 80 minutes and scored a try in each half through Ken Owens and John Barclay with Rhys Patchell adding 10 points with his boot.
But it was not enough as Toulon’s power in the tight exchanges proved to be too much.
Mamuka Gorgodze, Leigh Halfpenny and Romain Taofifenua put them 24-13 up at the break, before Guilhem Guirado scored the crucial bonus-point try early in the second half. Wales full-back Halfpenny kicked 11 points to ensure his team came out on top.
“We’ve talked about not being accurate enough in the changing room but when you put a good effort in against a quality side like that you can’t be too harsh,” Pivac said.
Toulon coach Mike Ford admitted his team still have room for improvement despite watching them keep up the pressure on unbeaten pool leaders Saracens.
“I’m not relieved, I’m a little bit frustrated,” said Ford. “We never controlled the second half but I’m also respectful of the Scarlets and we got a bonus-point win.
“You’re always looking for perfection and in rugby you never get it but that doesn’t mean you stop looking.”