ANALYSE – The Reds and Blacks were swept away by the efficiency, speed and aggressiveness of the Leinster players. They were unable to put down their rugby.
The show was there at the Aviva Stadium. But one way. And the opposition of style was total. Toulouse is known for its rugby movement, this “famous game of hands, game of Toulouse” which made its reputation: taking intervals, improvisation and brilliant shots. Opposite, and it was just as spectacular and exciting on Saturday, Leinster shines with its organization, licked, its playing times programmed and recited like scales. Cold efficiency.
“We took a real lesson in rugby as they are today, at the moment T, much better than us, it’s obvious”, admitted Toulouse manager Ugo Mola. And to see: “On the freshness, the speed, the changes of rhythm, there is nothing to say. We failed to put on speed and hold the ball on the moments when we could have possibly put more pressure on Leinster.
A class above
After having succeeded in overthrowing (by one point over two matches) Ulster in the round of 16, then Munster on penalties, the Red and Blacks have this time taken on water from all sides. The step was too high. The adversary, a class above. “It’s part of our apprenticeship. highlights winger Matthis Lebel. We fell today (Saturday) on a team that dominated us. We have nothing to be ashamed of our defeat, they were better. And Ugo Mola continues: “The best team will play one more game. There are too many things that separate us and parameters where we have not managed to stem the blue waves. We came across a much better team than us.”
Read alsoLeinster-Toulouse: the favorites and scratches of our special correspondent
Unstoppable last season when they achieved a historic double Top 14-Champions Cup, the Haut-Garonnais were totally helpless this time. Dumb, unrecognizable. Apart from Antoine Dupont’s zero pass try on a counter at the start of the match, they only created one real try chance on the ball carried flattened by Selevasio Tolofua at the… 65e minute ! Famished in view of their usual offensive strike force. “We have become ordinary due to our inability to put on speed, recognizes Ugo Mola. And on the contrary, the speed of Leinster was quite remarkable. I wasn’t jarring when I said that I was quite admiring of the rugby he offered and I’m even more so this (Saturday) evening”.
Johnny Sexton exchanged his jersey with Romain Ntamack. One is 36, the other 22. But one has played 27 European matches, the other 12…
Ugo Line
Last year, to reach the Champions Cup final, Stade Rochelais managed to find the fault against the Dublin players by crushing them in front. A real show of strength. There, the Leinstermen – more aggressive, quick and organized – clearly won the ground game battle against Anthony Jelonch and his teammates. “After a while, when you’re just going backwards, it’s obviously complicated to defend, details hooker Julien Marchand. They did not necessarily give us a lesson in all areas, but they took us well in the game, it must be recognized.
hard learning
Rarely, in a playoff match, has Toulouse been so dominated. You actually have to go back three years to see them stumble like this, it was at the same stage of the competition, and already against Leinster (30-12). “As in 2019, it brings us face to face with our reality. Afterwards, when I left, Johnny Sexton exchanged his shirt with Romain Ntamack. One is 36, the other 22. But one has played 27 European matches, the other 12…” The hard apprenticeship of the very high level continues for the golden generation of Stade Toulousain. In pain this time.
SEE ALSO – The splendid goal of Messi which sealed the coronation of PSG in Ligue 1 against Lens on April 23 (1-1)
