Stade Toulousain can progress serenely in the Champions Cup.
Already qualified, the men of Ugo Mola will play, without too much pressure, a last meeting in the group stage against the Irish of Munster this Sunday.
This confrontation is far from unknown at European level.
Firstly because Munster and Toulouse have each played 19 quarter-finals (a record in the competition) but also because the opposition has often made cruel or even epic outcomes.
Almost 20 years ago, on April 26, 2003 to be precise, Stade Toulousain met Munster at the Stadium in the semi-finals of the European Cup.
The specter of a defeat three years earlier in the semi-finals against Bordeaux (25-31) still trots in all the heads of Toulouse.
At kick-off and on the Red and Black side, Patrice Collazo, Fabien Pelous, David Gérard, Vincent Clerc and Émile Ntamack are starters.
Heavy, even if Munster is not left out: Hayes, O'Connell, Quinlan, Horgan and especially Ronan O'Gara.
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“
I particularly remember this game.
We received them in the semi-finals because we had performed well in the pool and we received this team which was one of the best in Europe.
At that time, she often won European competitions or, at least, she often appeared in the final stages.
At the Stadium, it was THE match.
It was the final before the final
, ”recalls Christian Labit, also starting in the third line for this match.
These confrontations are nothing like other matches.
The few thousand Irish supporters who came, beer in hand, will push their team in the hope of qualifying for the final.
“Munster was actually the Irish team!
»
Christian Labit, former Stade Toulousain player
From the first minutes, the Irish pack puts its counterpart of the day in difficulty and the faults are very quickly sanctioned by the artilleryman Ronan O'Gara.
“
In front, it was very strong and behind, they had a big team.
They relied on the challenge with two physical and powerful centers.
Their game was simplistic but very effective.
We hadn't had the right to big flights because they deprived us of the ball, and there was no waste in their game. We had to rely on our conquest.
This Irish team was pragmatic, with its basics.
They wear down the opponent, they are effective and they had an effective O'Gara.
He was not necessarily dangerous offensively because he hardly attacked the line but on the other hand as soon as he put the ball down,
“, confides to Figaro Christian Labit, now manager of Carcassonne.
“
The Stadium is already qualified so, indirectly, it can lead to a form of complacency.
You'll have to be careful...
"
At the break it was the men of the South West Province of Ireland who were leading (3-6).
This same O'Gara passes two new penalties on the return of the lemons before the coaching of the Toulouse staff pays off.
Elissalde returns and, six minutes from the final whistle, sends a magnificent acrobatic pass for a try from Frédéric Michalak.
Stade Toulousain joined Perpignan in the final in Dublin.
“
I played a particularly good match since I was voted man of the match.
I go out five minutes from the end, the stadium is standing and chanting my name, it was great.
That's why this match is special.
I feel like I did things well to help the team
,” recalls Christian Labit.
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Sunday, the Toulouse club faces a Munster team less solid than before but which we will have to be wary of.
In the first leg, Ugo Mola's men won (13-18) in daunting conditions.
“
It is no longer the Munster of before.
It's a team that has a lot of flaws, with fewer players who are decisive and able to make the difference as before.
On the other hand, what can make the difference is that they have everything to gain.
The Stadium is already qualified so, indirectly, it can lead to a form of complacency.
We will have to be wary
, ”supports Labit, first supporter of Stade Toulousain.
See you on Sunday afternoon for this historic meeting.