EUROPEAN CUP. Garry Ringrose: ”We have too much respect for Toulouse”
The three-quarter center of Leinster, Garry Ringrose (27 years old, 39 caps), who is playing his 40ᵉ European Cup match with his province this Saturday, stopped on the semi-final and the shock to come against the Toulouse Stadium. A duel that looks like a “classic” of European rugby.
Hello Garry, can you tell us how fresh Leinster were before the game against Toulouse?
You know, I believe there are two aspects of freshness: the mental and the physical. We had time to recover and regenerate after the quarter-final in Leicester. We recommended the week with some aches (laughs), but we remain very motivated. We know the demands of Saturday’s game against Toulouse.
Have you watched the meeting between Munster and Toulouse? What did you think of it?
I couldn’t watch the game or be aware of the score, as we were warming up for our quarter-final. But yes I saw that it was pretty crazy. That it ends in a penalty shootout is really something very rare. Munster made it difficult for Toulouse. But the latter will raise their level this weekend. Toulouse will be better against us on Saturday.
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Are you looking forward to kick-off on Saturday?
Yes, we are looking forward to it. All the work we have done this season and the last ones, which have been made difficult by the Covid, gives us an incredible opportunity to play against a team like Toulouse which has a rich history. It is the only team with five stars on the shirt. We obviously want to join them.
It is a workforce with enormous qualities. We are preparing to face one of the best teams in Europe.
What do you fear most from Stade Toulousain?
The list is long (laughs). Surely the three-quarter line. It is something impressive. They have players who can score anytime, anytime, in any situation. In particular thanks to the standing game which is their strength. They have like a sixth sense and an ability to read each other and find each other collectively like no other team. All players adjust to each other. This is the biggest danger of this team.
They of course have one of the best hinges in the world. And even in general experienced players like Julien Marchand, Antoine Dupont, Rory Arnold, who allow them to win in several possible ways.
What is the difference between today and your last victory against Toulouse in 2019?
Motivation increased. 2019, we have received difficult lessons since. There were also departures like Rob Kearney or Dan Leavy, as well as new ones who arrived. All of this makes us appreciate how far we have come since. The opportunity to end up at this level is incredible.
We have had our game evaluated since. Especially against big defenses that were very compact and in place against whom we were in difficulty. Toulouse is a big defense too. We will see what we are worth today. Besides, we have already lost against Toulouse in the past, there is a lot of respect between them and us. We are not going to underestimate them.
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We have seen that Toulouse knew how to withstand pressure and hostile environments…
Yes. They have proven that they know how to win away from home. They are not afraid to play outside. It is one of their qualities. On our side, we like to play at home. It’s always special to play at home in front of our families and friends. All this will make the game even more special at the Aviva.
You will evaluate against Pita Ahki. What can you say?
He is excellent in one on one. I already played against him when he was at Connacht in the Celtic League. He knows how to play behind him and manages his defense very well. It will be a big challenge for me too.
Leinster and Toulouse are the leading suppliers of internationals to their respective countries. So is there a sense of revenge from the last Six Nations Tournament?
Yes I like to think that. Especially the term “revenge”. In each team, there is the backbone of the selection in question. It will be a level equivalent to that of international rugby. So we are preparing intensely to arrive in good shape. We were happy against Leicester, but we can still improve. We will still have to be better against Toulouse who will also want to be better.
We take each competition as it comes, so as to be ready on D-Day.
There will be three French clubs in the semi-finals this season like last year. What do you conclude about French rugby?
This shows the strength of French rugby. Just look at the Top 14. The standard is very high every weekend. There are only 7 points difference between the leaders, it’s really very little. Every team is dangerous to play. Competitiveness is very high and this has died out on their national team. Last year we lost to La Rochelle in the European Cup semi-final. We will see how it goes against Toulouse.
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Do you keep the defeat against La Rochelle in the semi last year as a source of motivation?
OUI bien sur. We always enjoy winning. But it’s the defeats that make us learn the most. This is what drives our motivation. We all want to win in the European Cup. We also want to learn as we go. We must seize the opportunity that presents itself to us to progress thereafter. We will have to be at best in the face of the challenge we will face.
Is Leinster your favorite?
No, personally I don’t think so. We have too much respect for Toulouse. The club an incredible story. It is a very large institution, with an impressive track record. So I don’t think we are favorites for Saturday.