Counter-attack kings Toulouse will provide test of unpredictability for Leinster
Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster has labeled Toulouse the ‘best counter-attacking team’ they’ve played against, delivering high-praise to the first team to beat Leinster in Europe since April 2017.
Ugo Mola’s re-born Toulouse side is a dangerous proposition, undefeated since shocking Leinster 28-27 in the first leg of pool play.
On that afternoon, Toulouse made 17 clean breaks to Leinster’s eight and offloaded 17 times to Leinster’s five. They won the turnover battle 5-4, and despite holding just 40% possession won by a solitary point.
On the face of it, the stats don’t mean much but show a glimpse into Toulouse’s philosophy under Mola. As Lancaster explained, over half of their tries have come from counter-attacks. It has become woven into their DNA, thriving on disruption and playing a free-flowing brand of rugby on the back of chaos.
Forcing turnovers and flipping the script quickly, keeping the ball alive as long as possible if they get a sniff. The offloading is critical to that, where players seem to have a license to throw 50-50’s once the ball has been won and a half break presents.
Instead of falling into a structure, Toulouse desires to keep the game in an unstructured state if they can. Fullback Thomas Romas (34 offloads last year), in particular, is critical in setting up kick-counter play and has a knack for freeing up the ball.
They still use the offloading game during phase play to open up teams using the likes of juggernaut lock Joe Tekori (36 offloads last year) and Florian Verhaeghe (14 offloads). There are promoters of the ball everywhere across the team, possessing a high-level of skill.
Toulouse may have had their best attacking weapon on the bench in their last meeting.
21-year-old halfback Antoine Dupont came on and played flyhalf, showing glimpses of his potential with sharp touches. He is a unique player that might just be the best halfback in the world in the next five years, with many similarities to Faf de Klerk.
Against Wasps he finished with two tries and a try assist, using his playmaking around the ruck and was rewarded with great support play. His running game is electric, which Toulouse finds many ways to switch on, and his defence is ferocious in the de Klerk fashion.
Toulouse would be wise to start him in this vein of form and throw something different at Leinster they didn’t have to deal with in the first match.
Make no mistake, this Toulouse side is a strong defensive outfit. They dared Leinster to test the edge early and forced them into touch almost every time, which lead to frustration and further errors for the visitors. Although Leinster were able to arrest control in the second half and play with periods of stability, Toulouse were able to disrupt them just enough to win. The final intercept was a heads-up play made based on the predictability of Leinster’s carries.
One of the leaders of that defensive effort was hooker Julien Marchand, a young energetic force that possesses an all-around game promising world-class potential. He defends stoutly in close channels, is strong over the ball, has brilliant ball skills, a large motor, surprising burst of speed and offers powerful carries. He won two crucial penalties over the ball in the first match that contributed to three points and rubbed out one Leinster red zone possession. He is a mobile athlete, which is a characteristic of the youth in Toulouse’s tight five unit.
They have youthful French players that provide the speed at which the pack can play to complement the experienced players like Charlie Fau’muina, Tekori, Jerome Kaino who bring the physicality. Aforementioned lock Verhaeghe is just 21-year-old, as is number eight Selevasio Tolofua, while Marchand is just 23.
A trip to the RDS will be a tough ask but if any team is capable of doing it, it is Toulouse, who is one of the top two sides in the Top 14. With doubts over Johnny Sexton and Devin Toner’s availability, James Lowe’s suspension, Leinster is arguably in a vulnerable position without some of their biggest stars for a pressure-cooker Pool 1 decider.
Leinster need accuracy and discipline which has been amiss recently, as demonstrated in the visit to Thomond Park just before the New Year. A second loss to Toulouse wouldn’t end Leinster’s drive for five, but it would tarnish the invincibility aura that is beginning to erode and make a fifth European title that much more difficult to win this year.
Rugby World Cup city guide – Oita:
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments