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2020 Toulouse Cruise To Victory Over

23rd, Ulster In Heineken Champions Cup

September

nable to avoid a second
Ahki, who grounded his own
Lowry gave them further
where they pummeled the
knockout defeat in the score. great break from deep by reach the five-meter line former Connacht center Pita
Two pieces of good fortune
|
Uspace of eight days, followed for Ulster, however, cause for concern. But another French rearguard – all to no chip and chase in the left cor-
EXAMINER Cup challenge ran aground at sion veering wide and young Kolbe, close to half-time, kept eventually forced the before the full-back claimed
avail as exemplary defense
with Thomas Ramos’ conver-
piece of magical finishing from
ner. Ramos added the extras
Ulster’s Heineken Champions
center Hume adjudged fit to
Stade Ernest Wallon where
the fifth try in the 66th minute
his side on course.
turnover.
after another incisive break
continue.
The South African speedster
Toulouse cruised to a 36-8 quar-
Toulouse had no such trou-
Indeed, good box-kicking
IRISH ter-final victory. from both Billy Burns and picked up possession from ble converting their next from Guitone.
Ulster’s consolation score
hooker Peato Mauvaka, on the
A try and penalty from John
chance on the 49-minute mark,
Cooney were all Ulster had to Cooney, then a swift line break right wing, and deftly danced Sofiane Guitone showing his arrived just four minutes later
show for their travails in south- by the out-half, got the his way past Stockdale and breaking ability as he slipped courtesy of a delightful Lowry
western France, and while the Ulstermen some decent time McGrath for his second try of through the Ulster midfield kick to the left wing. It was col-
visitors enjoyed some good in the Toulouse half. the afternoon. and supplied the supporting lected and grounded by
moments in the game, they Nonetheless, the reigning This time Ramos’ aim from Dupont for try number three makeshift winger Cooney, the
were no match for electric French champions were next the tee was true, sending Ugo under the posts. try reinstalling the Dubliner as
two-try winger Cheslin Kolbe on the scoresheet with Ramos Mola and Regis Sonnes’ Ramos converted and with the tournament’s leading scor-
and Toulouse’s attacking flair. this time making no mistake charges off 12 points to the multiple changes bringing on er on 76 points.
Giving his reaction after the with a 13th minute penalty, good – 15-3 – a margin their Eric O’Sullivan, Sam Carter, Ulster will now enjoy a
quarter-final clash, Ulster head and a piece of magic from overall performance in the Kieran Treadwell and Alby short break before the start of
coach Dan McFarland said: “I Dupont at the restart saw the opening half had earned. Mathewson for McGrath, the 2020/21 Guinness PRO14
think it’s the same story again. tricky scrum half evade half of Matthew Rea was sent on O’Connor, Henderson and season – provisionally set for
We had opportunities in the the Ulster team on a jinking within three minutes of the McCloskey respectively, Ulster the first weekend in October –
first half, one was gilt-edged. run from deep that only ended restart, replacing Nick faced up to the final quarter a while Toulouse will be away
“Their first try came when with Burns bundling him into Timoney in the back row, and full 19 points adrift. to Exeter Chiefs next week in
we had James Hume lying on touch at the Ulster 22. three early infractions from The deficit soon became 26 their second consecutive
the floor injured and defending This crucial intervention Toulouse allowed Ulster to thanks to a fine solo score from Champions Cup semi-final. C
against them was difficult came at a high price, Burns
enough with 15, with 14, we limping off with a calf injury INPHO
just couldn’t do it. moments later, but his replace-
“We missed an opportunity ment Matt Faddes was straight
to go into the lead (at 8-3) but into the action, linking up with
passed the ball into touch and Stuart McCloskey in Ulster’s
then they scored. We were best move so far, which just
already under pressure there fell short due to a forward pass
and then in the second half we from Jordi Murphy.
made too many mistakes.” With Stockdale moving to
Les Rouge et Noir started full-back and Lowry to num-
with their tails up, and after ber 10 to accommodate Faddes
two minutes of uninterrupted on the wing, a missed penalty
possession – with Hume out of from Ramos was swiftly fol-
the picture receiving treatment lowed by a successful 25th-
to his shoulder – a looping pass minute attempt from Cooney,
from Antoine Dupont found bringing Ulster back to within
Kolbe on his wing five metres five points of their hosts at 8-3.
from the try-line, and the 2019 Another miss from the boot
Rugby World Cup winner of Ramos topped up the
sidestepped Jacob Stockdale to Toulouse frustration, and a

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