Champions Cup – “A match close to perfection”: Toulouse, new European demonstration

To conclude its Champions Cup group stage, Stade Toulousain did things in a big way. 80 points, 12 tries and an offensive festival which delighted the spectators of Ernest-Wallon, very happy to see one last time the Dupont, Ntamack, Ramos and other Flament before the period of doubloons and their departure to the XV of France. Like the Harlem Globetrotters, the Toulouse squad once again delighted in the Champions Cup, leaving no chance to an English team which was struggling very quickly in the match.

A service “close to perfection“according to the Toulouse captain of the day, a certain Antoine Dupont.”We made the match easy, because we had a great start” explained the international scrum-half on France TV at the end of the meeting. “We wanted to be played, but also to fully commit to this match. We were very pragmatic and we scored a lot of tries very quickly. Afterwards, we know that it is difficult for the teams when there is a gap in the score” he continued. Quickly alone in the world on the Toulouse pitch, Ugo Mola's men never released their grip, as evidenced by Matthis Lebel's final attempt at the siren.

“We wanted to put in a better performance than last weekend. And when we manage to put our game in place, we have fun on the pitch” also commented Romain Ntamack, who will return to the Blues tomorrow to prepare for the 6 Nations Tournament, more than a year after his last appearance for the French team. Thibaut Flament, author of a double, just like his friend from the second row Emmanuel Meafou, was also happy at the end of this “very good collective performance“. “We had a lot of fun and we can only remember the positives. The job is done” said the great second row, elected man of the match this Sunday.

With 225 points scored in four matches, for 62 conceded, Stade Toulousain once again flew through this group stage. But will still finish second in their group, behind Union Bordeaux Bègles, just as intractable this season in the Champions Cup, the fault of an offensive bonus point left on the way last week in South Africa against the Durban Sharks.

“We knew that we were more in control of our destiny after the Bordeaux victory” mentioned Dupont. Before continuing: “But despite everything, we really wanted to play a full match, because we had a lot of frustration after last week's match“.

Now looking towards the deadlines in Blues, Thibaut Flament mentioned “the excitement of joining Marcoussis“, believing that the many French internationals could “leave with peace of mind” after this successful match. “The period which will open is a bit special with many players who will leave to prepare for the tournament” said Antoine Dupont at the microphone of beIN Sport. “It's always important to leave the team with a good image before leaving. And it also gives a dynamic for those who stay and who will continue to work hard so that at the end of the year, we experience nice moments” continued the number 9 who finished the match in an unusual center position, depending on the various Toulouse changes.

“Ugo put me where there was room left on the field“Dupont had fun.”It was a little hard because I was burned out, but it's always nice to play in positions where you have a little more space. I got shaken on the first action, but after that it was a little better” he added, with a smile on his face.

A few hours before returning to the Blues to prepare for the first match of the Tournament against Wales on January 31, the brilliant scrum half, also author of a double, could indeed be happy. Like the entire Toulouse club.