Stade Toulousain is not going to unknown territory this Sunday in Ireland.
It is indeed the sixth time that they have traveled to Thomond Park to face the province of Munster.
With a contrasting record.
Two straight eliminations in the quarter-finals, 47-23 in 2014 then 41-16 in 2017. But also two successes in a row in Limerick: 40-33 in the round of 16 in April 2021 and a qualification for the semi-finals snatched the last season in the penalty session (24-24, 4 tab to 2).
If we add the 2008 final (won by Munster 16-13) or the semi-finals of 2000 and 2003 (a success everywhere), it is even a classic of European competition that this clash between Stade Toulousain and the province of Munster.
Ugo Mola is not mistaken there.
Asked about his opinion on adding European franchises to the Champions Cup this season, the Toulouse manager postponed his answer.
“
With Munster and Sale as direct opponents in the first phase, the competition retains a real European flavor as far as we are concerned.
We will discover the modification later in the competition, if indeed we can experience it…
”
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It is, according to his captain, the will of his players.
“
We feel that there is an excitement, a particular flavor and that everyone wants to raise their level and their intensity of play to be able to compete
”, thus assured Antoine Dupont at a press conference.
Recalling that with the new formula (two groups of twelve, eight qualified in each), “
you have to win as many matches as possible to give yourself more chances of receiving in the finals.
And we know how important it is since we paid the price for it last year.
» Achievement in the quarter but elimination in the semi-finals, this time in Dublin against Leinster.
“
We have no room for error
,” continues the scrum half, who is seeking a third feat in a row at Thomond Park.
But don't forget to mention that the conditions will be different this time.
In 2021 and 2022, Munster had received Toulouse in a stadium behind closed doors, Covid obliges.
This time, the spans will again be lined.
“The last time we moved to a full Thomond Park (in 2017, editor’s note), it didn’t go very well.
We had taken 40 points (41-16).
We know the value that the 16th man can have there and given the past we have with this team over the last European Cup seasons, they will be ready to receive us… ”
Stade Toulousain hooker Julien Marchand confirms.
“
The European Cup is always a notch above the Top 14, very high intensity matches against opponents well supplied with internationals.
Munster are a very big team.
It's up to us to be vigilant…
” To give ourselves the best chance of continuing on their way.
And to cross paths with the South African provinces.
"
If we qualify, the competition will intensify with the arrival of the Sud-Af'
", announces Ugo Mola.
Who finally gives his verdict, gives his opinion.
“
I am nostalgic, even a little backward-looking, about what the European Cup meant for the club and for me.
We move on to a new competition.
But it is no longer the European Cup.