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.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 16, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 16, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.