Toulouse provide a lesson in brilliance
The Rugby Paper|May 26, 2024
THERE have been some extraordinary Champions Cup finals over the decades but none better than this titanic clash for the ages which saw Toulouse pull away in extra-time to claim their sixth title.
BRENDAN GALLAGHER
Toulouse provide a lesson in brilliance

They are an extraordinary club and exceptional team. 

Toulouse against Leinster was the final the neutrals wanted but such hyped clashes rarely live up to their pre-game billing. This however was an exception. It had everything including, praise be, unforgiving physicality in defence, indeed there were no tries at all in the first 80 minutes. It mattered not a jot, you don’t need try fests for a great game of rugby and this was one of the best.

Included in the plaudits by the way are Matthew Carley and his team of officials who didn’t miss a beat despite any number of difficult calls. It was a superbly officiated match.

Ultimately Leinster were undone at the breakdown, both by Toulouse’s excellence in that area and the courage, if that’s the right word, of Carley to penalise Leinster who in the eyes of many have been treated over leniently for a long time in this department.

The English ref pinged them for seven penalties at the breakdown in the first half alone and although, and all credit to them, Leinster cleaned their act up after the break that fatal fault line reappeared under pressure in extra-time when Toulouse were down to 14 men following the sending off of Richie Arnold.

The Rouge et Noir were possibly there for the taking but in quick succession Leinster leaked three more penalties at the breakdown and Tomas Ramos, left out of the starting XV, earned his crust by slotting over three nerveless penalties.

That the breakdown was always going to be the battleground was obvious from the start. In Jack Willis – who would have been MOM but for Antoine Dupont – Peato Mauvaka and Francois Cros they have three modern day masters with another to bring off the bench in Julien Marchand.

Denne historien er fra May 26, 2024-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.

Denne historien er fra May 26, 2024-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.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024