European title holders, Stade Toulousain made short work of the Irish province (61-21) this Sunday at Ernest-Wallon.
The reigning European champions reminded everyone that they were the real bosses. The last French representative of this first day of the Champions Cup, Stade Toulousain launched its European campaign perfectly against an Ulster team who could only observe the damage (61-21).
From the first launch of the game, Antoine Dupont is in his works, he procrastinates but is already making a difference. Ten seconds later, Mathis Lebel, in style, flattened his team's first try in a corner (2', 5-0). Five minutes later, Ntamack found a penalty from more than 50 meters to offer a second ammunition to the Rouge et Noir. An action that he himself concludes in the style of a third line, in force between two defenders (9', 12-0).
Two defenders are also insufficient to stop the overpowering Meafou. After five periods of play in the closed side on the right wing, Dupont launches his second line who breaks two tackles on his percussion and extends to flatten the third try (15', 19-7). In the meantime, Mc Cornick had reduced the gap in one of the rare phases where the Toulouse defense was caught by being too concentrated on one side (13th).
The offensive bonus before the half-hour mark
Refused to Romain Ntamack (22nd), the bonus try is ultimately the work of Ange Capuozzo on first-hand school action. A repeat between Dupont and Chocobares, a long pass from Ntamack towards Ramos which shifts Lebel. Still very good this Sunday, the Toulouse winger accelerates on his wing before moving back inside for Capuozzo, who came from the other wing to support (28', 26-7). The offensive bonus is already in his pocket and the match is already over.
Before the break, Antoine Dupont put his name on the scoreboard (30', 33-7) and Emmanuel Meafou scored twice (40', 40-14), still going strong. The gap of 26 points at half-time leaves little hope for the Irish.
On returning from the locker room, no surprise, the Toulouse residents flew over the debates and accelerated at will to, almost every time, end up in the goal. Chocobares scores another try on a first-hand action (51', 47-14). Before Dupont offered his double to Capuozzo with a marvelous kick pass (57', 54-14).
With such a gap, Ugo Mola gives his executives some rest and rotates fairly early. Changes which disrupt the Toulouse machine a little and allow Ulster to return to a try of the offensive bonus (68', 54-21). But Julien Marchand is there to restore order with his scratches and prevent Ulster from bringing something back from this trip to Toulouse. A mission fully accomplished, a victory, five points and a spectacle before heading to Exeter next week.
