TOULOUSE showed why they are favourites to be the first winners of the new

European Cup when they routed the champions of Romania, scoring eight tries

in the opening match of the tournament in Constanta today (Tuesday).

A big, mobile pack and near all-international threequarter line destroyed

Farul, who could provide only limited resistance against the powerful,

strong and quick double French champions.

Emile N'Tamack, Toulouse's captain and World Cup star, scored twice as did

fellow wing David Berty – but it was the heavyweight French pack who ruled

the roost.

Farul had no answer to their powerful scrummaging and dominant line-out and

were fortunate to get a try when a loose pass from N'Tamack was pounced on

by scrum half Mihai Foca.

The match was extremely physical with Welsh referee Robert Davies required

to issue warnings to both sides when enthusiasim boiled over. It was a

strong message that the tournament will need strong officials.

Toulouse's victory away from home will signal a warning to the other 11

sides – that for anyone to beat N'Tamack and his team they will have to

control their powerhouse forwards.

Farul Constanta: V Brici; C Sasu, A Tinca, N Fulina (capt), E Florea; V

Besarau, M Foca; C Pingert, N Lupu (A Secuiu, 50m), D Manole, N Branescu, N

Marin (E Rujada, 50m), C Florea, A Girbu, T Oroian.

Scorers: Farul Constanta: Try – Focat; Con – Florea; Penalty – Florea.

Toulouse: S Ougier; E N'Tamack (capt), P Carbonneau, T Castaignede (O

Carbonneau, 48m), D Berty; C Deylaud, J Cazalbon (E Artiguste, 48m); C

Califano, P Soula, C Portolan (P Lassere, 70m), H Miorin, F Belot, J-L Cester,

R Castel, S Dispagne.

Scorers: Toulouse: Tries – N'Tamack (2), Berty (2), Cester, Castaignede, Ougier,

pen try; Cons: Deylaud (7).

Referee: RG Davies (Wales).