19 points out of 20, +163 goal average: why will Toulouse have to travel during the final phase?

This is the magic of the post-Covid Champions Cup. Or rather its ineptitude: despite an almost perfect group stage, Stade Toulousain ultimately only finished 5th in the general ranking and therefore will most certainly have to travel during the final phase if it reaches the quarter-finals, or the semi-finals.

However, with four victories in four matches and three offensive bonuses, a total of 19 points out of 20 possible on the clock (second best total and best goal average of the competition with +163), the Stadistes seemed well on their way to obtaining a place of choice in the general classification of this group phase.

80 points! Where does Toulouse's performance stand in the European Cup record books?In question? This format which prioritizes the first group, and therefore to date, UBB, Leinster, Toulon and Northampton. Does Toulouse then only owe its 2nd place to the draw placing it in the same group as Bordeaux, the fittest team in Europe in recent weeks? Most certainly.

Dupont: the group matches of this Champions Cup are extremely important for the future

But we immediately understand much better why Antoine Dupont, without making excuses, was so angry about this offensive bonus left on the Sharks pitch at the weekend. A very small hiccup, which nevertheless had major consequences upon arrival…

“As we say every time, the group matches of this Champions Cup are very important for the future, he explained for Rugbyrama. When we see the impact that the classification can have on the fact of receiving or not the final phases, even if we do not understand much about the way in which the teams are classified, it is difficult to find the logic. We have to comply and therefore try to score as many points as possible in each match.”

25 offloads, the Flament UFO: 5 indecent stats from Stade Toulousain – Leicester

Thus, Toulouse, which nevertheless has 6 points more than Toulon at the end of the group phase, will travel to Var in the quarter-final of the Champions Cup, in the event of a victory for the two teams in the round of 16.

Nothing unthinkable, since the RCT will host the Saracens and Stade Toulousain the Sale Sharks. But after all, it also brings a little spice to Toulouse's European campaigns, a little too “easy” for them in recent years given their level of play, for our taste…