The long interruption linked to the health crisis therefore did not lose any of its splendor at the Stade Toulousain.
Six months of stoppage and a recovery on the hats of wheels.
Three matches, 105 points scored, twelve flattened tries (including four by Cheslin Kolbe alone and two by Antoine Dupont).
We can say that Ugo Mola's men have ants in their legs.
And in the arms.
Taking advantage of the new rules which target ground play, they feast, even binge on standing play.
A statistic to measure their appetite: more than twelve assists after contact per game.
Hand games, Toulouse games ...
Clumsiness
Such an offensive whirlwind - and again, out of clumsiness, there were clear opportunities left in the way ... - therefore makes Stade Toulousain, for many, the big favorite of this end of the edition of the 2019-2020 Champions Cup.
In a poll on sport24.lefigaro.fr, 71% of Internet users see it as sacred on October 17.
What if they were going a bit fast?
Because the opponent who appears this Saturday in the semifinals (4:30 p.m.) has little to envy him.
Opposite, it will be the Chiefs of Exeter.
"Why?
Can smile those who do not follow the English championship with assiduity.
"They are not as publicized as the Saracens, but just as formidable", Yoann Huget answers them.
The Toulouse winger knows what he's talking about.
He will find in front of him his English counterpart Jack Nowell, the center Henry Slade or the Scottish back Stuart Hogg.
On the offensive potential side, these three defensive blasters do indeed have serious assets to assert against the wills of Toulouse.
For an equation with several factors X ...
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Let Ugo Mola do more with the introductions.
“Exeter, it's only three defeats in all competitions for eighteen months.
Their coach, Rob Baxter (in place since… 2009!) Has set up a coherent game plan.
A very rough team profile (with, in the figurehead, the insatiable Scottish tackle Jonny Gray) combined with an ability to hold the ball and multiply the playing times to impose an incredible intensity.
They master and recite their rugby ”, presents the sports manager of Stade Toulousain.
"It's a perfectly oiled team, very physical in front and very fast behind", sums up, with common sense, the former All Black Jerome Kaino, double world champion who scolds the red and black pack.
Behind closed doors
In a Sandy Park certainly behind closed doors, the Stade Toulousain will not be the big favorite announced.
"They've been the best Premiership team for three to four years," Ugo Mola rightly adds.
Unhappy finalist of the English championship in 2016, 2018 and 2019, champion in 2017 and currently well ahead of the 2019-2020 edition which is ending.
Impressive.
"It's really the best in Europe at the moment," insists the Toulouse technician.
Winning there will be a feat.
"
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An offensive feat or, on the contrary, torn with heart and guts by dint of defensive solidarity to stem the flights of the Chiefs.
The question makes Ugo Mola smile.
No, the Stadium is not going to deny itself.
“We are not going to let them come too much, let them be.
We're going to play the Stade Toulousain game.
"A promise for a certainty:" The pace of the game will be terrible.
To the delight, at least, of the viewers.
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