Murray Kinsella reports from Stade Ernest Wallon
TOULOUSE’S JOYOUS CELEBRATIONS at the end said it all.
The four-times winners, back in the Heineken Champions Cup after missing out on involvement last season, made a thrilling statement of their potential against Leinster, edging a riveting contest on a 28-27 scoreline.
In doing so, they showed that talk of Leinster being potentially unbeatable in the aftermath of last weekend’s hammering of Wasps had been foolish.
Though Toulouse have retreated out of the limelight in recent years, they have been slowly growing as a force, with talented homegrown players leading the revival.
This three-try victory over defending champions Leinster represents a huge step in the journey, particularly given how it was sealed with a stunning length-of-the-field try finished by Maxime Médard, a relative veteran at the age of 31.
For Leinster, this narrow defeat will be extremely frustrating, especially as their errors played a part in Toulouse bursting into a 14-0 lead inside the opening quarter.
Leo Cullen’s men did force their way back in front in the second half, leading 27-21, but Toulouse produced a strong finish to shock Leinster with that scintillating Médard try, converted by composed fullback Thomas Ramos.
“We knew what all the things at the start of the game would mean to them, what that would bring to the game for them,” said Cullen post-match in Toulouse. “We were probably a little too inaccurate at the start and they built that 14-point lead.
“I thought we showed pretty good composure and fought our way back into the game and obviously they scored just before half-time but, even at that, I think the lads knew that if they held onto the ball a little bit better and controlled possession that there were going to be opportunities and space out there.
“27-21, three tries, we were looking pretty strong at that stage with 55 minutes gone.
“It’s disappointing for us not to push on from there. We have a lineout, they make a good read, come up with an intercept and go the length of the field and it’s those big moments in the game.
“I thought they did incredibly well in terms of their ability to execute once they make the intercept and the read but, from our point of view, there are so many different things in both halves of the game where we cough up positions too cheaply to feed what their strength is – that unstructured, chaotic game and the pace they have out wide.
“It’s not ideal. We didn’t put enough of a squeeze on them and, ultimately, that’s what’s cost us but there’s plenty to take out of the game.”
The manner in which Toulouse attacked Leinster – in possession, at the set-piece, in defence – was a stark contrast to the limp effort Wasps had delivered in their 52-3 defeat at the RDS in the first round.
Leinster had never let themselves get carried away by that eight-try success, but the atmosphere and challenge they faced in Toulouse were on a different scale.
“It’s very different coming away here, what it means to them being back in Europe and back at home, all that goes with that,” said Cullen. “It was a huge occasion for them and you could see what it meant to them.
“It was a huge occasion for us as well but, for whatever reason, we were just a little bit off and sometimes that’s all it takes, where you’re just not quite respecting possession enough and you think you’re going to get into that free-flowing game that we maybe were in the second half [against Wasps].
“A lot of work obviously went into getting to that point and away from home, sometimes you need to manage the conditions slightly differently. There’s plenty for us to work on.”
Cullen warned that Bath, who Leinster face twice in December, will be “scrapping for their lives” in Pool 1, but the Irish province remain in a good position to advance.
Toulouse lead the group on eight points, with Leinster two behind, Bath on four and Wasps coming up the rear on three.
Losing openside flanker Josh van der Flier just 18 minutes into this evening’s meeting with Toulouse was far from helpful for Leinster, although he will hope to be back in action soon after suffering a head injury.
Van der Flier didn’t undergo a Head Injury Assessment as Leinster had seen him displaying symptoms of a head injury, meaning Sean O’Brien completed the game in his place.
“He just had a criteria one [meaning he had to be instantly removed and kept off], so he took a bit of a bang and had a bit of a stumble when he came up, so that’s just a straight removal for him,” said Cullen.
“Other than that, just a few bangs and knocks – we haven’t got a full medical update yet. It was pretty physical out there.”
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United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.