Cream rises to the top again as Leinster eye Toulouse showdown via IrishTimesSport
Toulouse, and especially their French international frontliners, were a little weary and sated when beaten 40-17 by Leinster at the same stage last season, after winning the double the season before and then securing the Grand Slam two months previously.
Hence, a la the Champions Cup knock-out stages, they have the possibility of a home route to a final in the Aviva Stadium. Leinster’s supposed advantages, and as a capital city-based province they undoubtedly have some, have come to the fore as their unbeaten season has extended into 22 games. “Obviously English rugby is going through a tricky patch at the moment, so they’ve had to shrink their budgets off the back of what’s going on in the game and clubs going out of business. So, that’s probably called what, sensible business?
“We were watching other provinces lift European Cups, Ulster in the late 90s, and that was on the back of Ulster winning, 10 or 11 interpros in the 1980s or 1990s, which is when I started watching rugby. So, that’s my formative years of watching rugby which was complete domination by Ulster.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Toulouse to face Leinster in Champions Cup semi-final after seeing off SharksFullback Thomas Ramos contributes 29 points as five-times champions finish in storming fashion
Read more »
Toulouse thrash Sharks to book Dublin semi-final with LeinsterThe record five-time winners will face Leinster in the last four in a rematch of the Irish province's victory at the same stage of the competition last year.
Read more »
Big guns book their spots in knockout stages of Leinster minor hurling championshipWestmeath and Kildare both win their pre-preliminary quarter-finals
Read more »
Leinster v Leicester: Irish province aiming for a place in Champions Cup semi-finalsLeo Cullen’s team come into quarter-final clash at the Aviva as favourites, follow the action as it happens...
Read more »
Leinster power home past Leicester to secure Champions Cup semi-final berthLeo Cullen’s side prove too strong for the Tigers as they make it through to a sixth semi-final in the last seven years
Read more »