Toulouse complicates the task
Published on : Modified :
Coventry (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Toulouse disrupted, Toulouse sunk. The champion of France and Europe, who has only played one match in a month and was deprived of Antoine Dupont, tripped over the carpet against Wasps (30-22) on Saturday during the 3rd day of the European Rugby Cup.
A draw on the green carpet, a victory and a defeat on the pitch: the Red and Black’s European record is clearly not up to their ambitions.
To be able to defend their continental title and secure an eighth and then a quarter-final at home, Stade Toulousain will have to roll up their sleeves during the last meeting, in a week, at home, against Cardiff.
Because, by falling against the English, yet reduced to fourteen with the red card of Jacob Umaga (33rd), nephew of the All Black legend of Toulon Tana Umaga, the Toulouse people have complicated the task.
To be sure of receiving, Toulouse must finish in the first four of their pool while the Harlequins and Munster are like ogres with their three initial successes.
The goal seems within reach of Ugo Mola’s proteges. Provided they show another face than the one they showed in Coventry.
Despite a thunderous start and a try from François Cros after two minutes of play, the Hauts-Garonnais suffered in front of a solid if not brilliant Englishman.
The absences of their superstar Antoine Dupont (hit in the knee) and executives such as Julien Marchand, Rory Arnold or Charlie Faumuina do not explain everything. No more than the lack of rhythm displayed by Toulouse, after several reports and cancellations of matches for a good month.
They were also, and above all, too clumsy and undisciplined (11 penalties against, 19 turnovers conceded, a yellow card for Anthony Jelonch) to disrupt Wasps full of spice.
Even in numerical inferiority for about fifty minutes, following an illegal tackle from Umaga and a severe red card, the English got their hands on the ball, boldly playing their luck, carried by a well-placed defense and a dominating pack.
Hard. But now at least, Toulouse know what to expect.
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