Stade Toulousain is playing its place in the European Cup final against the impressive Leinster, in Ireland, on Saturday afternoon.
A Franco-Irish shock to start the last four. Stade Toulousain challenges Leinster in Dublin for the first semi-final of the Champions Cup, Saturday April 29 (at 4 p.m. on France 2 and france.tv). A meeting with the taste of a major European meeting but also of revenge, on several levels.
Ugo Mola’s men face a big challenge, against those who eliminated them at the same stage of the competition last season. Beaten in all areas of play, they returned from Ireland with a hell of a slap in the suitcases (40-17). “We have the impression that it is written, that we have to go and play at Leinster to perhaps fight our old demons”coach Ugo Mola told a press conference on Tuesday.
“There is a feeling of revenge, they had been really dominated by a Leinster who had been very fair and precise”abounds Vincent Clerc, former Stade Toulousain player and France Télévisions consultant. “Stade Toulouse will have to succeed this time in depriving their opponent of balls, not letting them set the pace.”
This feeling also goes beyond the framework of the two clubs, providers of a large (even very large) part of the Irish and French internationals. What offer a revenge for the last duel of the Six Nations Tournament, won by the XV of Clover (32-19) in this same stadium. “The Toulousains have a lot of references, especially the French players with this very recent Tournament. The style of play, the weak points, the mistakes are to be found in both Leinster and the Irish team”assures Vincent Clerc.
European hegemony at stake
The opposition is all the more expected as it has become a classic of European rugby, between two of the biggest winners in the competition. “It’s no coincidence, in the world rankings, Ireland is at the top and France just behind”notes the former French international. “This semi-final is quite representative of the level of rugby in the northern hemisphere.”
Crowned four times in its history, Leinster, whose last title dates back to 2018, is aiming for a fifth star which would place it at the same level as Stade Toulousain. Especially since the grand final will be played in its Aviva Stadium at the end of May. “This is probably our year. Toulouse are the only team to have five stars on their shirt: it’s really a goal for us and a victory on Saturday will help us.”, assured the Irish pillar Andrew Porter to the press on Monday. Star Wars is just beginning.
