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European Rugby Champions Cup novices Connacht already know what it takes to get the better of Toulouse
European Rugby Champions Cup novices Connacht already know what it takes to get the better of Toulouse, who kick off their 22nd consecutive campaign, when they meet at the Galway Sportsground.
Until last season’s triumph in winning the Guinness Pro12 title, Connacht’s greatest moment came with a shock victory over Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon in 2013.
Captain John Muldoon is one of the few survivors from that remarkable 16-14 success in what was only their third campaign in the top flight of European rugby.
Muldoon said: “Where we were at the time, and considering the history of where we had come from, it still marks up there as one of the better days in my career.
“Pat [Lam, head coach] ensured we went over with a plan and a belief. I don’t think anyone from the outside looking in thought that could happen. The fact Sky Sports changed their live match halfway through showed they didn’t think anything was going to happen either.”
Connacht were brought back down to earth just a week later when they were defeat 37-9 in Galway and they have suffered a similar reality check this season. They hit new heights in May when they won the Pro12 Grand Final to qualify among the top seeds for this season’s Champions Cup, but lost the opening three games of their title defence.
However victories over Edinburgh and, last weekend, Ulster suggest a return to form for the team from the most westerly point of the Champions Cup.
Muldoon said: “Pat has converted a lot of us by showing what you do right in training you do right in matches, and by doing it right, the result takes care of itself. The whole time through the losses no one was panicking and thankfully it only took us three weeks.”
Toulouse are Champions Cup veterans but head coach Ugo Mola, who took over from Guy Noves, is still looking for his first away success in the tournament with the four-time European champions having lost their four games on the road, at Montpellier, Saracens, Oyonnax and Ulster.
Full-back Maxim Medard, who has scored 19 tries in 58 European appearances, said: “We must not forget everything, it is important to remember some losses. Every game is important, every point enormously account, more than before. We were not ready last season after the terror attacks in Paris, but we will be ready from the start this time.”
Match facts
- The clubs have met four times in the pool stage of the top flight in 2011/12 and 2013/14, Toulouse winning three and Connacht one.
- Toulouse’s three victories all came by 20+ points, while Connacht’s win against the four-time champions in 2013 was by a two-point margin.
- This is Connacht’s first appearance in the Champions Cup since 2013/14 when they won three of their six games.
- Toulouse have lost their last four away games in the competition, however they’ve never lost five on the bounce away from home.
- Toulouse averaged 20.3 offloads per game last season, over three more per game than any other side.
Connacht registered their most famous victory in Europe as they condemned Toulouse to a record fifth successive away defeat in the Champions Cup. - 15/10/2016 19:53
Connacht registered their most famous victory in Europe as they condemned Toulouse to a record fifth successive away defeat in the Champions Cup.
A try from Bundee Aki in the 64th minute, converted by Craig Ronaldson, completed a magnificent fightback after they had fallen 10 points behind at the end of the first-half. The power of the Toulouse front row caused problems for the home side in the early exchanges and saw the visitors race into a nine point lead
But, playing in the top-tier of European rugby for the first time under their own steam after winning the Guinness PRO12 title, Connacht were never going to be overawed and stuck to their systems and, in the end, outscored the TOP 14 side by three tries to two
Sebastien Bezy kicked two of those early penalties for Toulouse and Florian Fritz added a third from long range. But once Connacht managed to get their hands on the ball they caused no end of problems for the four-time European champions.
A brilliant move from their own 22 after stealing a Toulouse line-out led to Niyi Adeolokun scoring in the right corner at the other end and then Jack Carty’s penalty cut the gap to a single point. A second Carty penalty then edged Connacht in front, but Toulouse came up with a big response.
Tries from Yann David in the left corner and Jean-Marc Doussain in the space of three minutes saw them regain control and lead 21-11 at the break. Connacht finished the half knocking on the Toulouse door for another try and they picked up two more in the second half.
Tiernan O’Halloran crossed in the 57th minute and then Heineken Man of the Match Aki burst through the remnants of the visitors defence and crossed in the right corner to level the scores. Ronaldson stepped up to end Connacht’s goalkicking problems to nail the conversion and leave Toulouse with 13 minutes to find a score.
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