There are some things in life those with a love for sport’s highest level must watch live to truly appreciate; Lionel Messi dribbling in full flow, the ease with which Tiger Woods swings a golf club, Roger Federer’s effortless backhand. For rugby purists, Toulouse belong in the same elite category.
This was an afternoon of untold misery for Leicester as they were ripped apart by a simply majestic French side to suffer a record European defeat at the hands of the defending champions. But anyone with a passion for the 15-a-side game, even disgruntled Tigers fans – who travelled in numbers here – must surely have appreciated the Toulouse performance.
They played rugby from the Gods, scoring at a point a minute. Toulouse ended with 12 tries, crossing for six in either half. It was utterly astonishing and a true privilege to witness in person. Antoine Dupont took on the Messi role as conductor as Leicester were ripped to shreds. All around him, the majestic Dupont had leading lights.
Jack Willis, so dearly missed by England as he is in the form of his life, pilfered ball at the breakdown relentlessly. Romain Ntamack unleashed his forwards and backs. Italian ‘racing snake’ Ange Capuozzo led blue shirts a merry dance. Thibaud Flament had a field day. Dupont, Emmanuel Meafou, Capuozzo and Flament all ended with braces.
Lock Flament was named the official man of the match. It takes something to outshine Dupont and his French colleagues, but Capuozzo was the best player on the pitch in this writer’s opinion. Toulouse led 42-0 at the break. The scoreboard struggled to keep up from kick-off. Toulouse are a team of Galacticos – rugby’s equivalent of Real Madrid – but this was a strong Leicester side packed full of England and Wales internationals, including the returning Ollie Chessum.
Michael Cheika’s Tigers were simply blown away. The only positive was they had already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions Cup before arriving in France.
Thibaud Flament was named man of the match as Toulouse excelled against Leicester
Jack Willis also managed to make a major impact during a superb Toulouse display
Leicester coach Michael Cheika said that he was hurt personally by the performance
‘I feel extremely disappointed,’ said Cheika, the shellshocked Leicester coach.
‘We had a great opportunity to come down here to the European champions and get stuck in and we didn’t. It’s as simple as that. I’ve got a lot of self-reflection after that.
‘It’s hurt me personally.’
Cheika denied the huge difference in playing budgets between the two sides was a factor.
‘The team is a reflection of how I prepare it and I need to improve as a coach,’ he said.
‘There is no excuse. They (Toulouse) are a great club. We’re a good club. We need to get back to being a great club.’
Leicester captain Julian Montoya said: ‘I want to say sorry to the fans. The support was amazing. It’s a really dark day for us. I’m disappointed.
‘Toulouse don’t forgive you if you make a mistake.’
Leicester captain Julian Montoya apologised to the club’s fans following the game
The impressive Ange Capuozzo dives to score a try during Toulouse’s victory
The Stade Ernest Wallon is one of the best places on the planet to watch rugby and it was alive with noise on Sunday. Toulouse’s fanatical supporters are used to success in both Europe and the TOP14 and having the world’s best players in their team.
But this was a performance from another level, otherworldly in fact. It showed that Toulouse are firm favourites to retain the Champions Cup, even if Leinster and Bordeaux will rival them. It also showed that France will take some stopping in the Six Nations with their Toulouse contingent in this sort of form.
Had this been a junior match, it would have been called off at the break such was the one-sided nature of the contest. Leicester weren’t necessarily bad. For long periods, they weren’t even in the contest, even if they did grab two consolation tries.
The true brilliance of Toulouse can perhaps best be summed up by their ability to click into top gear out of nowhere. Their link play between backs and forwards is just superb.
Like a hot knife through butter, they seem to be able to cut even the most organised defences to ribbons, almost at their own will.
‘It’s a huge pleasure to play in this team, especially with these forwards,’ Toulouse and France captain Dupont – undoubtedly the world’s best player – told Mail Sport.
‘They have the same skills as the backs. But they must not forget their first jobs! If they do that, we can take great pleasure from the rest of the season.
‘We played a very, very good game.’
Leicester found themselves outclassed by Toulouse and will be disappointed with their display
Ugo Mola was pleased with the way in which his Toulouse players performed
Capuozzo said: ‘It was a beautiful evening – very, very satisfying. It’s great to finish top of the pool, but we know our end goal. To play in this sort of game is always enjoyable.’
Ugo Mola heads up Toulouse’s operation – one which is the envy of the rugby world. ‘Have a good evening,’ Mola said, bidding farewell at the end of his post-match press conference with a beaming smile. He and his Toulouse players – unlike Leicester – certainly had something to be happy about.
