Toulouse, an unnatural coronation but so mature

Deprived of the ball and less sharp in attack, Stade Toulouse built its success on an iron defense.

We knew they were flamboyant in attack, capable of turning the tide of a match with a well-exploited loss of ball, we now know they are capable of scrapping for 100 minutes against a team like Leinster. Weaned from attacking balls in London, Saturday May 25, the Toulouse team built their success (31-22) on the effectiveness of their defensive curtain and on a permanent fight in the ruck zones, symbolized by the titanic performance of Antoine Dupont.

Voted man of the match and best player of the season in the Champions Cup after extra time, the scrum-half led his team on the road to success achieved thanks to the impressive solidarity of an entire group. Author of 16 tackles (100% success), François Cros told France Télévisions after the match that Toulouse was expecting this kind of opposition: “We knew it was going to be a standoff until the end, that we weren’t going to have to let go. We managed with a lot of heart and solidarity to hold on and make them break in overtime.”

We could expect an assertive and assertive opposition style, we especially saw Toulouse accept to suffer and trust in its defensive organization. With 58% of ball possession, the Irish largely controlled the course of the match, occupying the opposing camp 64% of the time. Ultimate proof of a balance of power which has gradually established itself, the Toulouse residents used the kicking game more than Leo Cullen’s men (36 against 31).

As a result, it was necessary to tackle, and rather twice than once. With 258 tackles made (91% success), the Rouge et Noir defense worked hard and its players undermined the opposing offensive attempts, despite an increasingly intense physical challenge as the match progressed. In total, ten Toulouse players exceeded the bar of 12 tackles, including four front rows, a sign that an entire team is in tune.

If they obviously left feathers in this sector, as evidenced by their 16 ball losses and 15 penalties conceded, they returned the favor to Leinster, guilty of 19 ball losses and penalized 15 times.

Praised for his offensive qualities, expected to disrupt the Irish defense, Antoine Dupont this time weighed in on the defensive level. If his four offloads represent the highest total of the match, the Toulouse captain impressed with his self-sacrifice and his aggressiveness in the combat zones. In total, he recovered four balls, including the last in normal time, while Leinster had a final opportunity to win the match.

Saving scratches, like the one made on Dan Sheehan (30th), who had just stolen the ball almost 80 meters further. A save allowed by a heroic Blair Kinghorn to tackle the Irish hooker a few meters from the Toulouse goal.

Author of nine tackles, the playing master of the Rouge et Noir instilled a conquering spirit in the heads of his team. At his side, the Englishman Jack Willis shone in front of his audience. Real poison in the rucks too, he recovered two possessions, the third line especially impressed on the line. With 29 tackles, the best total on the pitch, he undermined any attempt to make a difference in his area. Landing on the banks of the Garonne last year, the Toulouse number 6 was one of the major figures of a group which has now etched its history in stone.