French side bag nine tries on way to 61-21 win
It looked a mismatch on paper and not surprisingly proved to be in practice too as Toulouse eviscerated Richie Murphy’s side, scoring nine tries on an afternoon when Antoine Dupont played some sublime rugby.
Peato Mauvaka and Ange Capuozzo both claimed braces, Antoine Dupont, Matthis Lebel, Romain Ntamack and Santiago Chocobares also crossed the line, and the final play resulting in a penalty try. James McCormick, Stewart Moore and Iain Henderson scored tries for Ulster, whose big guns had been benched for this opener.Inside two minutes Toulouse were off, Dupont ran a line and the hosts moved the ball left with Matthis Lebel making the corner despite the efforts of Stewart Moore. Thomas Ramos missed the extras but made no mistake with his second attempt after Romain Ntamack dived over from Dupont after Toulouse had trucked it up from a maul, the conversion seeing them 12-0 ahead.To their credit, Ulster came into the game and after tapping a penalty. James McCormick made the line and Nathan Doak conversion cut the deficit to five points. Toulouse responded almost immediately as Emmanuel Meafou surged over from close range with Ramos’ conversion taking it to 19-7. Ntamack then had a try ruled out for being offside, but the bonus point came when Ange Capuozzo was put clear by Lebel. Ramos converted and then once more when Dupont shredded Ulster out wide and got the follow up after Lebel was held short, taking the score to 33-7.Ulster rolled up their sleeves again though and after the pack had taken the ball to the line, Aidan Morgan picked out Stewart Moore who scored under the sticks, Doak converting. With the clock now in the red, Toulouse finished the half in an appropriate fashion, Meafou scoring his second as the TMO overturned Adam Leal’s initial decision of no try. Ramos hit the two and the sides trooped off in the rain, Toulouse ahead 40-14. It took 10 minutes for the French side to get going again, with Lebel giving Santiago Chocobares the chance to score try number seven. Ramos making his conversion count six from seven. Dupont then provided an exquisite cross-kick for Capuozzo to claim his second in the corner and Ramos, yet again, converted as the scoreboard hit 54 points for the home team. Iain Henderson burrowed his way over to alter the one-sided narrative, his effort, converted by Doak, allowing Ulster to focus on chasing a try bonus.T Ramos; A Capuozzo, P-L Barassi, S Chocobares, M Lebel; R Ntamack, A Dupont ; D Ainu’u, P Mauvaka, D Aldegheri; T Flament, E Meafou; J Willis, L Banos, A Roumat.J Marchand for Mauvaka , R Neti for Ainu’u, J Merkler for Aldegheri , P Costes for Chocobares , T Ntamack for Willis , P Graou for Dupont, J Brennan for Meafou , J C Mallia for R Ntamack .S Moore; W Kok, B Carson, S McCloskey, M Lowry; A Morgan, N Doak; A Warwick, J McCormick, S Wilson; A O’Connor , H Sheridan; Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, J McNabney.J Postlethwaite for Carson , R Herring for McCormick, T O’Toole for Wilson , C Izuchukwu for Matty Rea, N Timoney for McNabney , E O’Sullivan for Warwick, I Henderson for O’Connor , D Shanahan for Morgan .Three babies committed speeding offences, Garda system shows Paul Mescal on Saturday Night Live review: Gladiator II star skewers America’s bizarre views about IrelandJoan Baez: Do I ever hear from Bob Dylan? ‘Not a word’‘The future is ours’: Syrian rebel leader addresses crowds after overthrowing Assad regime
Please follow us on Google to support usIreland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ulster bracing for brutally tough Champions Cup opener against ToulouseCoach Richie Murphy says there is excitement and fear ahead of clash with European champions in France
Read more »
Ulster Ready to Tackle Toulouse in Champions CupDespite the heavy odds, Ulster's Stuart McCloskey is determined to give his best in the Champions Cup opener against European champions Toulouse. The Irish centre, who has previously won in Toulouse, acknowledges the challenging atmosphere but sees it as an experience to embrace rather than fear.
Read more »
Ulster name four Champions Cup debutants against ToulouseThe latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
Read more »
Ulster name starting 15 for Champions Cup opener in ToulouseJohn Cooney and Jacob Stockdale out in the cold following mid-week links with move to France
Read more »
Ulster’s Champions Cup opener against Toulouse a daunting away fixtureCoach Richie Murphy cautiously optimistic of overturning title-holders if province reduces errors and finds consistency
Read more »
Ulster v Toulouse LIVE score updates from Investec Champions Cup openerThe sides clash this afternoon on the opening weekend of the Champions Cup.
Read more »