This Sunday, Stade Toulousain won comfortably, 80-12, against the Leicester Tigers, on the 4th day of the Champions Cup.
Tops
A historic performance
We don't know where to start. 80 points, 12 tries and a historic success to end their European campaign. This Sunday, the Rouge et Noir inflicted on Leicester, 4th in the English championship, the heaviest defeat in its history in European competition. A broken record worthy of the immense performance of Ugo Mola's men. After a wonderful first period – perhaps their best this season – the Toulouse team fell to 42-0 at the break, having scored some very high-flying tries, by Capuozzo, Meafou and even Delibes. A polished game, men in good shape and an iron defense (Willis author of four scratches), in short, Stade Toulousain marched on the Tigers, who never existed in these first 40 minutes. In the second act, the Toulouse residents, without forcing themselves, scored a whopping 6 tries, to delight their supporters who came in large numbers. Yes, Toulouse is not going to finish first in its group (behind UBB), but the Rouge et Noir terrorized Europe this afternoon.
Flament at the top of his art
He is not always the most publicized, but there is no doubt that Thibaud Flament is one of the very best in the world in his position. The Toulouse second row simply dazzled Ernest-Wallon this Sunday against Leicester. With a double, 13 races, 2 crossings, 54 meters covered, several offloads, nine tackles and a good harvest in touch, the French international was fair in all areas of play. Powerful and diligent, the former Wasps player made short work of his opponents and was logically elected man of the match. He is the symbol of the domination of the Toulouse forwards in this meeting, alongside Willis (5 turnovers) and Meafou, also author of major performances.
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Capuozzo, symbol of Toulouse levitation
There are few words to describe Ange Capuozzo's performance against Leicester. Author of an extraordinary season, the Italian once again distinguished himself this Sunday at home. Twirling, elusive and always fair, the Rouge et Noir winger displays an absolutely incredible line of statistics. He scored twice, completed 13 carries, covered 176 meters, crossed 3 times and beat 10 defenders, while delivering several offloads. On his second try, he made a sublime solo rush, leaving Handré Pollard behind. He appears in great form before returning to the Italian selection. But he is not the only one. Antoine Dupont, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack have also all made very solid copies, the last mentioned in the first place, applied and in canes in his garden in Ernest-Wallon. A good omen before the Six Nations Tournament.
-Flop
English rugby at the bottom of the abyss
4th in the English championship, Leicester were humiliated against Stade Toulousain this Sunday, a symbol of the delay in the gulf that separates English rugby from its French counterpart. The worst? This is because the British club finished 3rd in this group and qualified for the final phase of this competition, having conceded 80 points in a single match. Without forgetting that the Tigers had already received a rugby lesson on the UBB pitch several weeks ago. Overwhelmed in defense, little applied in attack, beaten and dominated in all sectors of the game, Handré Pollard and his team never existed in this meeting and this defeat should leave its mark on the English minds. But above all, it definitely raises questions about this competition, which simply doesn't mean anything.
Pollard overwhelmed
Double world champion with South Africa, Handré Pollard experienced a difficult match this Sunday against Stade Toulousain, against whom he faced some opponents in the quarter-final against France during the 2023 World Cup. Suffice it to say that It ended less well. The Tigers opener will certainly have nightmares from this match, during which he never weighed on his team's play. He was simply ghostly, touching very few balls, and it was not better in the defensive sector. Last defender on Ange Capuozzo's try, the fly-half was completely mystified by the Italian winger. Author of a poor performance, the former MHR also left at half-time, replaced by Shillcock, who did not do better.
A return from the locker room a little less solid
Like manager Ugo Mola, we are never really satisfied with Toulouse. If the Rouge et Noir crushed Leicester, they had a slightly worse 20 minutes, with several penalties conceded and fewer held balls. A sequence which ultimately resulted in a Kata try. But, a few minutes later, it only took a ball for the Haut-Garonnais to score another try, thanks to the work of Peato Mauvaka who sent Thomas Ramos under the posts. Even in slightly more difficult times, the Rouge et Noir maintain this impression of constant ease.
