Hello, and welcome along to this afternoon’s rugby liveblog.
Ulster take on Toulouse in their Champions Cup opener at Stade Ernest Wallon, Richie Murphy’s side facing into a big challenge against the defending champions.
Kick off is at 3.15pm, with the action live on Premier Sports 1.
We’ll keep you updated right here, though.
8 Dec
3:05PM
Team news
Ulster have named four Champions Cup debutants — James McCormick, Ben Carson, Werner Kok, and Aidan Morgan — in the XV, while Stuart McCloskey returns.
They have a strong bench this afternoon, with Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, and Cormac Izuchuwku all held in reserve, while John Cooney and Jacob Stockdale are among those to miss out through injury.
Ulster
15. Stewart Moore
14. Werner Kok
13. Ben Carson
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Michael Lowry
10. Aidan Morgan
9. Nathan Doak
1. Andrew Warwick
2. James McCormick
3. Scott Wilson
4. Alan O’Connor (captain)
5. Harry Sheridan
6. Matty Rea
7. Marcus Rea
8. James McNabney
Replacements
16. Rob Herring
17. Eric O’Sullivan
18. Tom O’Toole
19. Iain Henderson
20. Cormac Izuchukwu
21. Dave Shanahan
22. Jude Postlethwaite
23. Nick Timoney
8 Dec
3:07PM
Team news
Antoine Dupont is one of seven French internationals in today’s Tolouse team.
Italy wing Ange Capuozzo and Argentina centre Santiago Chocobares also start for the Top 14 leaders.
2 mins – Matthis Lebel inside 90 seconds. What a start for Toulouse!
Antoine Dupont is the architect with a mazy run, finding support and numbers outside and Lebel dots down in the corner. Superb try.
8 Dec
3:23PM
Toulouse 5-0 Ulster
4 mins – No conversion, but the defending champions will be delighted with their fast start.
An early setback for Ulster, who must respond and guard against this becoming a long afternoon.
8 Dec
3:26PM
Toulouse 5-0 Ulster
6 mins – Errors from both sides there in rainy conditions.
Ulster win a penalty 30 metres out, and after opting for the corner, overcook the line-out throw. Toulouse give up possession cheaply as they emerge, but they win it back, and the chance goes a-begging.
8 Dec
3:26PM
Toulouse 10-0 Ulster
8 mins – A second try for Toulouse, scored by Romain Ntamack.
8 Dec
3:30PM
Toulouse 12-0 Ulster
9 mins – The hosts add the extras this time through Thomas Ramos.
Too easy as Ntamack rips through them. It all came from Ulster passing up another attacking platform, Toulouse kicking the penalty deep into the visitors’ 22 and going from the line-out.
Ulster need to hit back with something.
8 Dec
3:31PM
Toulouse 12-5 Ulster
12 mins – Try for Ulster! James McCormick on his European debut after a TMO check. Big boost for the northern province.
8 Dec
3:32PM
Toulouse 12-7 Ulster
14 mins – Nathan Doak adds the extras. Good response.
But in the blink of an eye after the restart, Toulouse are on the charge again.
8 Dec
3:34PM
Toulouse 17-7 Ulster
15 mins – Emmanuel Meafou crashes over, and it’s three for Toulouse. Lots of big carries, and pure power from Meafou as he finishes it off.
8 Dec
3:34PM
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
16 mins – Ramos concerts. Normal service has resumed, it seems.
A busy start to proceedings on the scoreboard!
8 Dec
3:36PM
The start of champions! 🔥
The first bit of Dupont magic of the tournament, a brilliant finish in the corner from Lebel, and Toulouse have their first try inside 90 seconds 🔴#InvestecChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/zVcbiBVl9k
20 mins – Bonus point wrapped up by Ntamack, Toulouse with their fourth try.
8 Dec
3:40PM
Or is it? We’re going to the TMO as Toulouse line up the conversion.
8 Dec
3:42PM
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
21 mins – No try as Ntamack was offside. He came too close to the scrum before getting that ball. Penalty advantage, they’ll go again.
8 Dec
3:45PM
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
24 mins – Good Ulster scramble defence and they eventually clear their lines momentarily, after a period of sustained Toulouse pressure. Dupont had almost set them up for a fourth try even before Ntamack’s effort was chalked off.
Doak doesn’t find touch at the first attempt, and some back and forth kicking follows. Action begins to unfold around the middle. Ulster will hope to move through a few phases and settle.
8 Dec
3:47PM
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
27 mins – Ulster win a penalty on the halfway line, Aidan Morgan miscues his kick and sends it dead through the in-goal earlier. Sums up their afternoon so far.
8 Dec
3:48PM
Toulouse 24-7 Ulster
28 mins – Ange Capuozzo gets Toulouse’s fourth, and the bonus point. Incredible stuff from the French side. X-Factor.
8 Dec
3:50PM
Toulouse 31-7 Ulster
30 mins – I hadn’t even got updating you about the successful conversion, and Toulouse are over again. Dupont this time.
8 Dec
3:53PM
Toulouse 33-7 Ulster
32 mins – Pretty difficult to keep up here, as Ramos adds the extras. 4/5 for him.
Just superb from Toulouse, the ever-impressive Dupont getting in on the scoring act. Complaints from Ulster players that he was held up on the line, but they’re waved away as they capitalise on another electric break.
Damage limitation for Ulster already.
8 Dec
3:55PM
Toulouse 33-7 Ulster
35 mins – Ulster in an attacking position again, and boy, do they need it…
8 Dec
3:58PM
TRY! Toulouse 33-14 Ulster
37 mins – Stewart Moore under the posts, converted by Doak. How badly they needed that!
Ulster work a penalty advantage from the line-out, and move the ball through Doak and Morgan, who finds Moore with a superb pass for an important score. Boost before half time.
8 Dec
4:00PM
Antoine Dupont adds to the scoreboard for Toulouse! 🔴
One-way traffic at Stade Ernest Wallon, with Toulouse running rampant in a truly dominant display. Sheer class from Antoine Dupont and co. as they bag six tries.
Ulster are, as the Premier Sports panel put it, “like rabbits in the headlights at times”.
That said, they have two tries on the board, and need to target a bonus point. Richie Murphy will look to his bench for the second half as they look to rescue something.
8 Dec
4:14PM
Here’s a look at their second try:
Stewart Moore goes over between the posts for @UlsterRugby! 👏
Tom O’Toole is in for Scott Wilson, Rob Herring replaces James McCormick.
8 Dec
4:21PM
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
43 mins – Ulster will look to restart with more intent here. An over-and-back kicking contest early on, before Dupont settles matters with a superb 50:22. No fuss, on they go.
8 Dec
4:24PM
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
44 mins – Ulster play their way out of their own 22, but only momentarily, as Toulouse win the ball back and Ramos slings to touch to pin their opponents back in.
Toulouse change: Julien Marchand is in.
8 Dec
4:26PM
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
47 mins – Toulouse are almost in again, but for a final forward pass to Capuozzo. It really should have been seven.
8 Dec
4:30PM
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
49 mins – Break in play as Toulouse make a few front row changes and an Ulster player receives treatment on the field. Off we go again with an Ulster scrum inside their own 22: penalty won, touch found. Better.
8 Dec
4:31PM
TRY! Toulouse 45-14 Ulster
51 mins – Santaigo Chocobares finishes for Toulouse’s seventh try.
Line-out steal, length of the field move. They shouldn’t score from there. Poor from Ulster, but clinical and powerful again from the champions.
8 Dec
4:33PM
Toulouse 47-14 Ulster
53 mins – Conversion added, as Ulster make some changes. Timoney and Izuchukwu come in.
Antoine Dupont in action. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
8 Dec
4:37PM
TRY! Toulouse 52-14 Ulster
Outrageous.
Just sensational stuff, an inch-perfect cross-field ball from Dupont to Capuozzo, who dots down.
8 Dec
4:39PM
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
59 mins - Ramos adds the extras, think that’s all but one he has converted today.
Both sides make some switches, with Iain Henderson coming off the Ulster bench.
8 Dec
4:42PM
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
61 mins – Dupont makes way to a huge reception, as Toulouse knock on the door once more. Loose pass intercepted out wide, here’s an opportunity for Ulster to go on the charge.
8 Dec
4:42PM
An absolutely perfect crossfield kick from Antoine Dupont! 😍
63 mins – Julien Marchand, just on the pitch, wins a penalty as Toulouse look to add to their 40-point lead. Ulster eventually survive their latest onslaught, and look to turn defence into attack.
8 Dec
4:48PM
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
66 mins – Ulster pile on the pressure as a boot is drawn on the ball around the middle and they chase deep into Toulouse territory. The clearance is sliced, and Ulster win a line-out about eight metres out. Opportunity here as they chase a third try.
8 Dec
4:50PM
TRY! Toulouse 54-19 Ulster
68 mins – Try number three for Ulster, Henderson with the final say.
8 Dec
4:52PM
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
70 mins – Doak adds the extras with a clean, crisp strike.
Henderson crossed before him, the Toulouse dam eventually breaking. Timoney was held up on the line at the first attempt, but Ulster went again and kept at it to score their third try of the day.
8 Dec
4:55PM
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
73 mins – It’s gotten very scrappy here, with penalties going either way.
Izuchukwu with some impressive work from Ulster as they chase a losing bonus-point.
8 Dec
4:57PM
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
75 mins – Five minutes to go, and Ulster have enjoyed the majority of possession of late. Can they make it count on the scoreboard?
8 Dec
5:00PM
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
77 mins – It was Toulouse on the front foot there, but Marcus Rea comes up with a big turnover and breakdown penalty 5m out to give Ulster one last attacking platform.
8 Dec
5:01PM
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
79 mins – Scratch that, the last big chance of the game is more likely to go to Toulouse after another incredible kick to touch. They go short from the first line-out, they’re pushing from another one now…
8 Dec
5:02PM
PENALTY TRY! Toulouse 61-21 Ulster
Ulster pull down a maul that was bound for the tryline, and the referee awards a penalty try at the death. An Ulster player was shown a yellow card, but it was unclear who it was as the final whistle went.
Sensational from Toulouse, a statement sent out as they open their title defence on the highest of highs.
But a day to forget for Ulster, with unwanted history created. They had never conceded more than 60 points in a Champions Cup game.
It was a somewhat improved second half, but they couldn’t yield the consolation of a losing bonus-point.
8 Dec
5:09PM
That’s all from me as we wrap up the liveblog, but the match report will be available on The 42 imminently.
My colleague, Sinéad Farrell, will have updates on Leinster-Bristol, and as usual, there’ll be all the reaction, analysis and colour from both games on the website and app.
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As it happened: Toulouse v Ulster, Champions Cup
Hello, and welcome along to this afternoon’s rugby liveblog.
Ulster take on Toulouse in their Champions Cup opener at Stade Ernest Wallon, Richie Murphy’s side facing into a big challenge against the defending champions.
Kick off is at 3.15pm, with the action live on Premier Sports 1.
We’ll keep you updated right here, though.
Team news
Ulster have named four Champions Cup debutants — James McCormick, Ben Carson, Werner Kok, and Aidan Morgan — in the XV, while Stuart McCloskey returns.
They have a strong bench this afternoon, with Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, and Cormac Izuchuwku all held in reserve, while John Cooney and Jacob Stockdale are among those to miss out through injury.
Ulster
Replacements
Team news
Antoine Dupont is one of seven French internationals in today’s Tolouse team.
Italy wing Ange Capuozzo and Argentina centre Santiago Chocobares also start for the Top 14 leaders.
Toulouse
Replacements
Richie Murphy: “It’s a massive task, it doesn’t get much harder than Toulouse over here in the opener.”
The Ulster head coach speaks positively about their preparations, explains his team selection and now hopes to cause an upset.
Jerome Kaino, meanwhile, says Ulster “pose a huge threat” and warns about conditions.
Ref watch
England’s Adam Leal is the man in the middle.
The teams are out, here we go!
Kick off! Toulouse get us underway.
TRY! Toulouse 5-0 Ulster
2 mins – Matthis Lebel inside 90 seconds. What a start for Toulouse!
Antoine Dupont is the architect with a mazy run, finding support and numbers outside and Lebel dots down in the corner. Superb try.
Toulouse 5-0 Ulster
4 mins – No conversion, but the defending champions will be delighted with their fast start.
An early setback for Ulster, who must respond and guard against this becoming a long afternoon.
Toulouse 5-0 Ulster
6 mins – Errors from both sides there in rainy conditions.
Ulster win a penalty 30 metres out, and after opting for the corner, overcook the line-out throw. Toulouse give up possession cheaply as they emerge, but they win it back, and the chance goes a-begging.
Toulouse 10-0 Ulster
8 mins – A second try for Toulouse, scored by Romain Ntamack.
Toulouse 12-0 Ulster
9 mins – The hosts add the extras this time through Thomas Ramos.
Too easy as Ntamack rips through them. It all came from Ulster passing up another attacking platform, Toulouse kicking the penalty deep into the visitors’ 22 and going from the line-out.
Ulster need to hit back with something.
Toulouse 12-5 Ulster
12 mins – Try for Ulster! James McCormick on his European debut after a TMO check. Big boost for the northern province.
Toulouse 12-7 Ulster
14 mins – Nathan Doak adds the extras. Good response.
But in the blink of an eye after the restart, Toulouse are on the charge again.
Toulouse 17-7 Ulster
15 mins – Emmanuel Meafou crashes over, and it’s three for Toulouse. Lots of big carries, and pure power from Meafou as he finishes it off.
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
16 mins – Ramos concerts. Normal service has resumed, it seems.
A busy start to proceedings on the scoreboard!
TRY! Toulouse 24-7 Ulster
20 mins – Bonus point wrapped up by Ntamack, Toulouse with their fourth try.
Or is it? We’re going to the TMO as Toulouse line up the conversion.
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
21 mins – No try as Ntamack was offside. He came too close to the scrum before getting that ball. Penalty advantage, they’ll go again.
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
24 mins – Good Ulster scramble defence and they eventually clear their lines momentarily, after a period of sustained Toulouse pressure. Dupont had almost set them up for a fourth try even before Ntamack’s effort was chalked off.
Doak doesn’t find touch at the first attempt, and some back and forth kicking follows. Action begins to unfold around the middle. Ulster will hope to move through a few phases and settle.
Toulouse 19-7 Ulster
27 mins – Ulster win a penalty on the halfway line, Aidan Morgan miscues his kick and sends it dead through the in-goal earlier. Sums up their afternoon so far.
Toulouse 24-7 Ulster
28 mins – Ange Capuozzo gets Toulouse’s fourth, and the bonus point. Incredible stuff from the French side. X-Factor.
Toulouse 31-7 Ulster
30 mins – I hadn’t even got updating you about the successful conversion, and Toulouse are over again. Dupont this time.
Toulouse 33-7 Ulster
32 mins – Pretty difficult to keep up here, as Ramos adds the extras. 4/5 for him.
Just superb from Toulouse, the ever-impressive Dupont getting in on the scoring act. Complaints from Ulster players that he was held up on the line, but they’re waved away as they capitalise on another electric break.
Damage limitation for Ulster already.
Toulouse 33-7 Ulster
35 mins – Ulster in an attacking position again, and boy, do they need it…
TRY! Toulouse 33-14 Ulster
37 mins – Stewart Moore under the posts, converted by Doak. How badly they needed that!
Ulster work a penalty advantage from the line-out, and move the ball through Doak and Morgan, who finds Moore with a superb pass for an important score. Boost before half time.
TRY! Toulouse 38-14 Ulster
40 mins – A second of the afternoon for Meafou as the on-field decision of no try is overturned by the TMO.
It was clearly grounded, and the extras are added. A sixth for Toulouse, the 40-point mark hit by half time.
HALF TIME: Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
One-way traffic at Stade Ernest Wallon, with Toulouse running rampant in a truly dominant display. Sheer class from Antoine Dupont and co. as they bag six tries.
Ulster are, as the Premier Sports panel put it, “like rabbits in the headlights at times”.
That said, they have two tries on the board, and need to target a bonus point. Richie Murphy will look to his bench for the second half as they look to rescue something.
Here’s a look at their second try:
SECOND HALF: We’re back underway.
Tom O’Toole is in for Scott Wilson, Rob Herring replaces James McCormick.
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
43 mins – Ulster will look to restart with more intent here. An over-and-back kicking contest early on, before Dupont settles matters with a superb 50:22. No fuss, on they go.
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
44 mins – Ulster play their way out of their own 22, but only momentarily, as Toulouse win the ball back and Ramos slings to touch to pin their opponents back in.
Toulouse change: Julien Marchand is in.
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
47 mins – Toulouse are almost in again, but for a final forward pass to Capuozzo. It really should have been seven.
Toulouse 40-14 Ulster
49 mins – Break in play as Toulouse make a few front row changes and an Ulster player receives treatment on the field. Off we go again with an Ulster scrum inside their own 22: penalty won, touch found. Better.
TRY! Toulouse 45-14 Ulster
51 mins – Santaigo Chocobares finishes for Toulouse’s seventh try.
Line-out steal, length of the field move. They shouldn’t score from there. Poor from Ulster, but clinical and powerful again from the champions.
Toulouse 47-14 Ulster
53 mins – Conversion added, as Ulster make some changes. Timoney and Izuchukwu come in.
TRY! Toulouse 52-14 Ulster
Outrageous.
Just sensational stuff, an inch-perfect cross-field ball from Dupont to Capuozzo, who dots down.
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
59 mins - Ramos adds the extras, think that’s all but one he has converted today.
Both sides make some switches, with Iain Henderson coming off the Ulster bench.
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
61 mins – Dupont makes way to a huge reception, as Toulouse knock on the door once more. Loose pass intercepted out wide, here’s an opportunity for Ulster to go on the charge.
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
63 mins – Julien Marchand, just on the pitch, wins a penalty as Toulouse look to add to their 40-point lead. Ulster eventually survive their latest onslaught, and look to turn defence into attack.
Toulouse 54-14 Ulster
66 mins – Ulster pile on the pressure as a boot is drawn on the ball around the middle and they chase deep into Toulouse territory. The clearance is sliced, and Ulster win a line-out about eight metres out. Opportunity here as they chase a third try.
TRY! Toulouse 54-19 Ulster
68 mins – Try number three for Ulster, Henderson with the final say.
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
70 mins – Doak adds the extras with a clean, crisp strike.
Henderson crossed before him, the Toulouse dam eventually breaking. Timoney was held up on the line at the first attempt, but Ulster went again and kept at it to score their third try of the day.
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
73 mins – It’s gotten very scrappy here, with penalties going either way.
Izuchukwu with some impressive work from Ulster as they chase a losing bonus-point.
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
75 mins – Five minutes to go, and Ulster have enjoyed the majority of possession of late. Can they make it count on the scoreboard?
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
77 mins – It was Toulouse on the front foot there, but Marcus Rea comes up with a big turnover and breakdown penalty 5m out to give Ulster one last attacking platform.
Toulouse 54-21 Ulster
79 mins – Scratch that, the last big chance of the game is more likely to go to Toulouse after another incredible kick to touch. They go short from the first line-out, they’re pushing from another one now…
PENALTY TRY! Toulouse 61-21 Ulster
Ulster pull down a maul that was bound for the tryline, and the referee awards a penalty try at the death. An Ulster player was shown a yellow card, but it was unclear who it was as the final whistle went.
FULL TIME: Toulouse 61-21 Ulster
Sensational from Toulouse, a statement sent out as they open their title defence on the highest of highs.
But a day to forget for Ulster, with unwanted history created. They had never conceded more than 60 points in a Champions Cup game.
It was a somewhat improved second half, but they couldn’t yield the consolation of a losing bonus-point.
That’s all from me as we wrap up the liveblog, but the match report will be available on The 42 imminently.
My colleague, Sinéad Farrell, will have updates on Leinster-Bristol, and as usual, there’ll be all the reaction, analysis and colour from both games on the website and app.
Thanks for joining me – enjoy your evening!
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Champions Cup Rugby Toulouse Ulster Updates