Rugby trumps the local market in France, predictable Leinster and Toulouse’s officiating edge
Munster were the last side to beat Toulouse in the final of any competition in 2008. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónailland Toulouse on Saturday with an interview with Francois Cros under the heading “We have nothing to be ashamed of against this team.”
The brilliant French international flanker said: “We obviously always have these lost semi-finals in mind. This year, the scenario is different. There, we arrive on neutral ground, not at their home. We tried to learn from our failures to grow from them. We will see on Saturday, but we will go there without negative pressure, with the desire to play a great match and to have a lot of fun.”
Le Parisien newspaper drew attention to a remarkable statistic under the heading, “Unbeatable in the final since 2008, Toulouse wants to continue its crazy series against Leinster.” The French club have contested and won all eight finals between Top 14 and European tournaments since. The last club to beat them in a final? Munster at the Principality stadium.
It certainly hasn’t pleased the exhibitors who not unreasonably claim that there shouldn’t be a clash between a market that takes place in the morning and a match with a 3.45pm kickoff, local time. “It’s catastrophic for organic traders,” lamented Thibault Melon, president of the organic market. The local authority did try to reach a compromise but an offer to allow the market run until 10.30am was rejected.
Toulouse brought French referee Mathieu Raynal into their training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, to run an eye over their work. Raynal, who retires from officiating at the end of the season, presided over Leinster’s semi-final win against the Northampton Saints at Croke Park. Midi Olympique reported that: “The objective: a reminder of the points of law and the opportunity for players to stay alert as discipline will inevitably be a determining sector against the Irish ogre.
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