Toulouse muzzles Munster in the Champions Cup
For its debut in the Champions Cup, Sunday afternoon, Stade Toulouse got rid of a large piece by importing it into a Thomond Park stadium shrouded in thick fog. And frankly, it was necessary to see clearly to disrupt this Irish province of Munster, always so dense in front, opportunistic and sharp.
But let’s be clear, apart from Mathis Lebel’s try scored at the end of the line (23rd) wide after a ball carried tonic behind penal touch, the first period was worth especially for the performance of the Toulouse forwards, a defense at very high intensity and some vigorous rucks. Antoine Dupont’s teammates had thus responded to the solid start of the Munstermen, an advance from the pack and a direct closed side for the test of Joey Carbery (10th).
Perfect equality at half-time
The two teams went back to back at the break (10-10) and as soon as the resumption, the winger replacing Lucas Tauzin found the fault (42nd, 10-15) when the fog increased in thickness. Supported in defense in front of their in-goal, the Toulouse managed to repel the Irish pack (48th, 52nd) before regaining control, or rather the foot. But Ntamack’s drop-goal (57th) and a penalty goal from Ramos (62nd) were missed.
Again subject to Irish offensive pressure (70th), the Toulouse knew how to round their backs, well replenished on an airtight line of defense. And even reduced to fourteen (yellow card against Antoine Dupont in the 77th minute for an anti-game gesture), they ended up stronger than their opponent, who only made a defensive bonus at home.