In an open and tough match, Toulouse beat the English Harlequins (38-26) and qualified for the final of the Champions Cup (against Leinster). Thibaud Flament and Antoine Dupont were the big men of the day, while François Cros delivered an astonishing performance in defense.
Preferred to Thomas Ramos at the back, the Scotsman got off to a bad start in his semi-final with an entry forward, a forgotten two against one and a failed first transformation. He then recovered well, particularly on the dismissals, and was generally calm in his management of the back of the field. An honest 3/5 against the poles but a few points dropped along the way which could be costly in the final against Leinster. Even more prominent offensively when he moved to the wing after the entry of Ramos.
He was also a strong choice in Ugo Mola’s starting lineup. Touted for his consistency and reliability, Mallia delivered a mixed performance. Erased from the Toulouse attack sequences, he was on the other hand valuable in defense, notably with a very good return on Murley during the English highlight (63rd). He made a few errors (forward in the 42nd, penalized in the 45th, beaten in the air in the 64th) but it was he who scored the winning try by resisting two fierce tackles on the attack placed sublime Toulouse.
And to think that he experienced his first semi-final with Stade Toulouse on Sunday! He quickly set the tone by being the initiator of Toulouse’s first counter-ruck (1st). In defense, he has this ability to multiply which sometimes alleviates a physical deficit in the duel (8 successes, 2 failures). And in attack, what a look! Always the right run, always the right gesture, and talent to show off like in Dupont’s try where he crucifies Marcus Smith with an inside hook before judiciously continuing with his foot. Conclusion: a match of future greats, despite a drop in performance in the second half. Replaced by Chocobares (70th).
He had a titanic duel to compete against Esterhuizen and he responded. In defense, he finished with thirteen successful tackles for only one miss, proof of his great involvement. An essential cog in Toulouse’s game launches which often hit the mark, he missed a transmission at the end of the match on a good recovery ball. To summarize, solid match from number 12.
Another try for Matthis Lebel (his 13th of the season, 5th in the Champions Cup), perfectly served by a magnificent extended pass from Romain Ntamack at the start of the match. He was decisive and that’s what we ask of him. Too bad he doesn’t understand Dupont on the captain’s breakthrough (8th). No complaints about Green’s try which revived the Quins, he was replaced by Ramos (55th), who quickly found his feet at the back and responsibility for the goal.
Faced with the enthusiasm of Marcus Smith, Romain Ntamack played fair. Decisive on Toulouse’s first and last try thanks to his quality of hand, he broke away in defense despite two failures. Less in the spotlight than some three-quarters, he managed to get his teammates to play well despite a small drop in energy – like his team – in the second period.
Antoine Dupont had fire in his legs! The captain of the Rouge et Noir started his game with a foot pass that was slightly too deep for Kinghorn. He constantly caused havoc in the English defense thanks to his irresistible support skills. Elusive for 80 minutes, he scored a mischievous double at the edge of the ruck. However, one of his only errors of the game was in the 53rd minute. Having failed to find the touchline on a clearance kick, he allowed the Quins to restart… and score. A false note which does not make us forget his great performance.
Like his other friends in the third row, the former Bordeaux-Béglais player did not raise the crowds with ball in hand. Defensively, he was the author of a scratch in the 36th minute while offensively, there were eleven meters covered. In defense, it was not perfect with three missed interventions, for eight successful ones.
Sparkling against Exeter in the quarter, the Englishman was a little less visible during this half. Discreet offensively, he “contented himself” with defensive tasks, and did it very well. 12 tackles, no misses and a job well done. The Toulouse number 7 was also behind several counter-rucks. Willis doesn’t always need to cross the field to make himself important.
If you type “shadow player” into our search bar, photos of François Cros will appear. Once again, the flanker did the job. Penalized shortly before the quarter-hour mark, he made up for it a few minutes later with a huge tackle on Esterhuizen, the South African center. The French international finished the first act with 11 tackles to his name, with none missed (20 in total for two misses). In the second half, he continued to stir up the meat, distinguishing himself with a strong intervention on Evans who made the Englishman explode. Elected man of the match, Cros continues to be familiar with the stars, and it is Stade Toulouse which benefits.
Still as powerful as ever, the Haut-Garonne colossus did not wait long to show itself. With a post-contact pass of which he has the secret, he created the gap for Toulouse’s first try (4th). His performance was somewhat tarnished in the 30th minute since he committed a largely avoidable mistake thirty-five meters from the red and black posts. A fortunately inconsequential error. Stunned at the start of the second act, he had a ball snatched from him, before leaving before the hour mark, replaced by Richie Arnold.
The international second row shone on the Stadium lawn. It was he who was at the origin of Toulouse’s first try by stealing a ball into touch (4th). On the sidelines, the former Wasps player achieved a harvest by showing himself calm and precise, and by pushing the Quins into mistakes. Shortly before the half-hour mark, he tried his luck, showing himself to be opportunistic. The only change in the starting fifteen compared to the quarter-final, Flament fully seized his chance.
Like the UBB front row three weeks ago, Aldegheri suffered in a closed scrum against Baxter. Caught in the 10th, the right-hander was penalized a second time by Andrew Brace in the 32nd for bad behavior. A few seconds before its release (replaced in the 61st by Merkler), the pillar ended on a good note with an almost saving scratch during an opposing highlight. A contrasting performance for the right pillar.
Icon Sport – Anthony Dibon
Too greedy at the start of the match and guilty of a forward a few meters from the opposing line, the hooker fully entered his match in the quarter of play. A scratch (16th) to start the festival of the first act, a try (19th) to continue it and a magnificent breakthrough (37th) to finish it. From the great Mauvaka. He was replaced in the 50th by Julien Marchand.
As usual, Baille was valuable and active in the running game, without succeeding in making a difference. Only 9 meters covered for him and 1 defender beaten. In the scrum, the left-hander was penalized once at the start of the second half. Replaced by Netithe international finished with 9 tackles on the clock.
