It has the potential to be a great match, especially as Toulouse are the current leaders of the Top 14, with La Rochelle only a few points behind them in second place.
The way that Toulouse pushed through the pool rounds unbeaten says everything about the pedigree of a team chasing a record fifth title. Despite the Covid cancellations leading to a shortened tournament, their away win at Ulster, comfortable home victory over Exeter, gritty success at Munster in the last 16, and then French double over Clermont away in the quarter-final and Bordeaux-Begles in a home semi-final, makes them deserved finalists.
By contrast La Rochelle are the new kids on the block having reached their first final – which gives them the chance to become European champions before they have become French champions. The way that they smashed Sale in the quarter-finals, and then overwhelmed Leinster in the semis, means that they cannot be written off.
La Rochelle also have an impressive brains trust, with Jono Gibbes bringing some New Zealand know-how as director of rugby, and Ronan O’Gara, with his Munster European Cup credentials, installed as head coach.
However, because Toulouse are a team with a fantastic history built on playing great rugby, they are the side that will go into the final with the biggest weight of expectation on them.
I was lucky enough as a player to have been coached on occasions by one of their most influential figures, Pierre Villepreux. The former French full-back encapsulated the spirit of French attacking rugby, which has become a hallmark of the way Toulouse play.
Denne historien er fra May 16, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 16, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
