Toulouse player ratings vs Harlequins | 2023/24 Champions Cup
Toulouse player rating: The aristocrats of European rugby got it done in end but it didn’t come without a scare from Gallagher Premiership mavericks Harlequins, who traded tries with Ugo Mola’s side for the best part of 70 minutes.
Here’s how we rate the Toulouse players.
1. Cyril Baille – 7
Held firm in the scrum, providing a stable platform despite the pressure from Harlequins’ pack. Worked tirelessly in defence and contributed well in open play but couldn’t always break through Harlequins’ strong defensive line.
2. Peato Mauvaka – 8
Handled brilliantly in the lead-up to Toulouse’s first try and was a formidable presence on both sides of the ball. Probably Toulouse’s most effective forward ball carrier.
3. Dorian Aldegheri – 6
Ultimately edged his battle with loosehead Fin Baxter in the scrum but improved as the match went on. Put in some dominant hits in open play.
4. Thibaud Flament – 7.5
Dominant in the lineout and delivered several important tackles to disrupt Harlequins’ attacking flow. Took his try well from close range on 26 minutes at the expense of Chandler Cunnigham-South.
5. Emmanuel Meafou – 7
The giant second row carried hard and delivered thunderous hits, slowing Harlequins’ progress at critical moments and compounding their misery as a ball carrier. Thoroughly unpleasant to tackle.
6. Francois Cros – 7
As usual lead the tackle count for the French side. The French flanker was machine-like in defence and at the breakdown, even if he was wrong-footed by Tyrone Green.
7. Jack Willis – 7
Despite not reaching the heights of his last Investec Champions Cup outing, he delivered a solid performance against his English countrymen. Made crucial tackles and proved disruptive at the breakdown.
8. Alexandre Roumat – 6
Worked hard in defence but was somewhat overshadowed by his teammates and the Harlequins back row.
9. Antoine Dupont – 9
Controlled the tempo with slick passing and dangerous runs, keeping Harlequins’ defence guessing throughout. Scored twice and looks even sharper after being on the SVNS circuit, consistently posing a threat with his speed and vision. His head-to-head with Jamieson Gibson-Park in the final will be box office.
10. Romain Ntamack – 8
Commanded the game’s pace with tactical kicks and sharp passing that opened up Harlequins’ defence, most notably with a sublime pass for Matthis Lebel’s opening try.
11. Matthis Lebel – 6
Troubled Harlequins with his speed and agility on the wing, consistently threatening the line, taking his opening try well with just 3 minutes on the clock. Against that his mismanagement of a Louis Lynagh kick directly led to a try for catch and drive try for Harlequins.
12. Pita Ahki – 5
Defended poorly against Marcus Smith for Harlequins’ first try but had a hard day at the office containing Harlequins’ midfield. Struggled to impose himself with ball in hand.
13. Paul Costes – 7
His defence creaked at times but his high rugby IQ was on show in attack, helping to set up Dupont’s first try with a street-smart awareness for his dink through.
– Mais pourquoi ils sautent pas en touche ?! Ouais bah c’est ça! rattrappez vous en marquant un essai de 80m…
Ils ont des cannes et de l’envie au @StadeToulousain ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/7eZlvNivRq
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) May 5, 2024
14. Juan Cruz Mallia – y
Smart runs and a solid presence on the wing but lacked opportunities. Pounced in the 67th minute to put daylight between the home side and the visitors.
15. Blair Kinghorn – 5
A few unforced errors marred an otherwise decent performance. Hard to fault him for his failed attempt at stopping Cadan Murley in the corner. His kicking was reasonable.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Julien Marchand – 7
What a player to spring from the bench. Provided stability in the scrum and bolstered defensive efforts.
17. Rodrigue Neti – 6
Added fresh energy to the pack and performed well in set-pieces.
18. Joel Merkler – 6
Competent ball-carrying and reliable scrummaging.
19. Richie Arnold – 6
The giant Aussie brought some extra physicality and support in the lineout, even if he cost his teammates a turnover.
20. Mathis Castro – 6
Relentless at the breakdown in his short spell on the pitch.
21. Paul Graou – NA
Unused.
22. Santiago Chocobares – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
23. Thomas Ramos – 8
His vision and precise kicking kept Harlequins under constant pressure after he came on and his goal-kicking accuracy was helpful to say the least.
Comments on RugbyPass
Adding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
2 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
2 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to comments