Tops
The perfect scenario for Toulouse
It was a scenario Ugo Mola couldn't even imagine in his wildest dreams.
The Toulouse Stadium was not content with winning its first victory in Belfast since 2000. It also won the offensive bonus by scoring four tries: Cheslin Kolbe (20th, 65th), Antoine Dupont (39th) and Rory Arnold (53rd) allowed the four-time winner of the event to take an important step.
A welcome extra point, as the third team making up this hen of death is none other than the reigning European champion, Exeter Chiefs.
The two eclairs of Dupont and Kolbe
When the difference cannot be made collectively, for meteorological, technical or physical reasons, individual talent can make the difference between its two stars.
Cheslin Kolbe offered himself a double in his shimmering style: a little kick for himself on his first attacking ball, a perfect reception and a high class try (20th).
And what about his second personal test!
Well shifted by Romain Ntamack at the end of the line, he hooked Jacob Stockdale, sending the Irish international winger out of bounds before scoring in the corner (65th).
His friend Antoine Dupont also offered himself a little gem at the end of the first period (39th).
A lightning acceleration after a messed up scrum, a light pass feint and a small dive into the in-goal.
And to allow his team to take the lead for the first time in the match.
The Toulouse melee overthrows everything in its path
Heckled in the current game, the Toulouse pack offered a breath of fresh air in closed scrum, with two specialists in the presence of Cyril Baille and Charlie Faumuina.
The two pillars, well supported by the control towers Iosefa Tekori and Rory Arnold, gave Eric O'Sullivan and Martin Moore a nightmarish evening, constantly at fault.
This could have rewarded precious penalties to compensate for the team's indiscipline.
The devastating carried balloons of Ulstermen
What mastery of the Northern Irish!
The carried ball exercise, which can be a lethal weapon at a very high level, was brilliantly recited.
The double hooker Robert Herring (14th, 57th) is an exact copy.
Iosefa Tekori made a mistake on several occasions to stop the power of the Irish pack, which was able to count during the two tests of the assistance of the backs.
It is almost astonishing that Dan McFarland's men did not insist more in this area, given the success of each ball carried.
Flops
The wrong storage gesture
We play the 64th minute of play, the Ulstermen seem to gain the upper hand after having taken the lead a few moments before.
It is the moment chosen by Jacob Stockdale to perform an elbow forward percussion on his opposite, Cheslin Kolbe.
The video clearly shows the Irishman's desire to perform a percussion with the elbow.
The referee of the meeting will give only a simple penalty against the international winger of the XV du Trèfle, explaining that the elbow had hit the chest of the South African at first.
A decision that will pester Ugo Mola, prostrate along the sideline.
Moments later, Cheslin Kolbe had his revenge (65th) in the current game ...
An indiscipline that could have been crippling
10 penalties conceded to 4 when Mr Carley indicated to Maxime Médard the way to the locker room (70th), 12 against 8 at the final whistle.
The visitors have long paid for their lack of discipline in the rucks and on the opposing balloons, giving John Cooney the opportunity to increase the score.
Fortunately for them, the last referee whistles were in their favor, in part thanks to the great comeback from Louis-Benoît Madaule who proved invaluable in the ground game.
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