For 40 minutes the world ganged up against Glasgow Warriors to deliver a morale-busting reality check in the Riviera sunshine.
Gregor Townsend’s Pro12 pacesetters had flown to France with genuine hope of jolting the Euro champions in their opening Heineken Cup group game.
But Toony and his charges could only gaze in envious amazement as they were ripped to shreds by the richest club in the global game in a 51-28 defeat.
And then the Warriors awoke from their nightmare. At 34-0 adrift at the break, the shellshocked travelling fans feared a drubbing of cricket score proportions.
Instead, they witnessed one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of the Heineken Cup.
Sadly, there was just too much damage to repair fully though the losing bonus point could prove precious in the long run.
They may be called Toulon, but in reality they should be named the Best of the World, such is the pace, power and skill of thus band if past and present international superstars.
Warriors couldn’t live with them before the interval but they bounced back heroically to not only match them but out-point them.
Townsend grinned and groaned in equal measure as he relived his side’s game of two halves in France.
He said: “I spoke to the lads and told them how proud I was of their second-half display.
“But in the first half they didn’t show the effort and togetherness they had shown all season. For whatever reason they were not switched on, but after the interval they showed their true selves.
“As coach, I did feel helpless sitting in the stand when we were leaking all these early tries. I can prepare the team but I cannot be with them out on the pitch. But we do approach every game to win it.
“We were much better in the second half and it could have been even closer if we had taken a couple of late chances.
“I am delighted we showed the fitness and desire that I know this squad has. We have another very hard Test against Exeter next weekend and we will have to be at our best from the start.”
Glasgow had given as good as they got during the high-tempo opening exchanges and there was drama when Niko Matawalu thought he had put them in front.
The Fijian pounced on a loose ball in midfield, hacked it deep into enemy territory and scooped it up before flopping over the line. But the video ref ruled he had marginally knocked on at the start of his pursuit and the score was chalked off.
Toulon immediately took advantage of their reprieve as Jonny Wilkinson slotted a penalty in trademark calm style.
The veteran England hero was back in the spotlight five minutes later to set up a slick try for countryman Delon Armitage, who evaded Ruaridh Jackson’s robust challenge to cross in the corner. Wilkinson banged over the extras from the widest possible angle.
Glasgow’s response was positive and Mark Bennett almost burst through. They kept up the momentum with a series of patient phases, only to surrender the ball close to the line.
Skipper Ally Kellock needed treatment for a blow to the jaw, but he was able to continue.
Within seconds, Glasgow were dealt another crushing setback when Toulon created another score despite the final pop-pass to Maxime Mermoz drifting forward by at least a yard.
Wilkinson stretching the gap to an ominous 17 points after the same number of minutes. And worse was to come as former All Blacks giant Chris Masoe was driven over by his pack-mates, with Wilko on target again.
The legendary marksman was then forced off with a hand problem and replaced by French playmaker Freddie Michalak. And the match was effectively over as a contest after Mermoz pounced again for Toulon try No 4.
Aussie Matt Giteau took over the boot duties to clip over the simple conversion, with Michalak slotting a penalty before the break.
Undaunted, the Warriors made a sparkling start to the second half and they broke their duck through Dan van der Merwe, goaled by Ruaridh Jackson.
Having had the cheek to score, Glasgow were quickly back under the cosh and Giteau scooted through a half-gap for No 5.
But the Warriors refused to buckle and when Jackson sent Matawalu over, they sensed a glimmer of hope of at least salvaging a consolation point.
Jackson converted then repeated the feat as Jonny Gray grabbed a third to narrow the gap to 20. And the Glasgow fans could scarcely believe their eyes when van der Merwe skipped in to complete his double.
Jackson maintained his flawless kicking display and suddenly the volume of the home support tailed off. Michalak eased the Toulon jitters with another penalty, when he converted Giteau’s last-minute effort.