By Louis Mouret
Published yesterday at 10:54 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:21 p.m.
Toulouse impressed and outclassed Ulster this evening. PAUL FAITH / AFP
Stade Toulousain is a hit against Ulster by winning (24-48) with the offensive bonus and ensuring qualification for the final phase. A demonstration by Antoine Dupont and Peato Mauvaka.
The perfect move for Stade Toulousain. At the end of a very great match for the reigning French champion, Antoine Dupont and his partners signed a striking victory on the Ulster field (24-48) by pocketing the offensive bonus and qualification at the same time. Supported by its internationals, Toulouse played a very high level game and will be able to approach their last Champions Cup match against Bath with full confidence.
4th in its championship and still in the Champions Cup race, Ulster was counting on this shock to put itself in the best conditions for qualification. But the Irish came across a Toulouse team in great shape supported by above-average individuals. And when the whole team raises its level as was the case this evening, few teams can compete with Ugo Mola’s armada.
(Almost) total control
If certain doubts may have entered the heads of the Toulouse supporters in the very first minutes of the match and the few inaccuracies in the passes (3 missed passes by Thomas Ramos in the first 10 minutes), they were quickly dissipated after a cross at the foot of this same Thomas Ramos bound for Matthis Lebel. An offering that the French winger was happy to convert by flattening the first try of the match to start this match and his team (10th). After this test, the Toulouse people imposed their law on the Irish by maintaining constant pressure and aggressiveness at all times.
In the wake of a solid Peato Mauvaka on the bases of the post but especially impressive in the rucks and in the running game, the Rouge et Noir put their game in place with charges in the axis before moving wide to take advantage of the talent of Dupont, Kinghorn & Co. However, it was Peato Mauvaka who scored his first try (31′) while at the helm of a dominant maul, as was the case all evening. Four minutes later, we found the hooker of the XV of France again supporting a breakthrough from Anthony Jelonch before slipping to his scrum half for a try between the posts (35′).
Dupont and Mauvaka compensate for the relaxation
But while Toulouse played its rugby, Stewart’s try just before the break (40′) allowed Ulster to stay in the match. And fortunately for Toulouse, Dupont and Mauvaka had decided to resolve all the problems. The two superheroes of the evening folded the match in just 15 minutes by being involved in all three Toulouse tries. Dupont was everywhere. First solo for his second try after a great run from Kinghorn (46′), then in a duo with a “one-two” with his hooker (53′) before showing off his rugby palette at 15 and 7 to open up space and a boulevard for Roumat for Toulouse’s sixth try (57′).
However, Toulouse relaxed and this is undoubtedly the only fault of the evening. They let Ulster get back into the match with two tries in five minutes (Addisson 55′, Timoney 69′). But so superior this evening, they made the effort on an Irish scrum in their 22 to ensure a stress-free end to the match. Even better with a conclusion in style for Emmanuel Meafou, rewarded for his big match with a try at the very end of the match (80′). Stade Toulousain is therefore qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions Cup and will aim for first place against Bath next week.
