It says everything about this wildly fluctuating and entertaining game that as a throbbing Le Stadium finally calmed down in the searing heat both sides conducted a lap of honour and were warmly applauded. There was certainly plenty for both sides to feel good about, and also plenty of regrets.
Entering the endgame, Ulster led 26-13 against a Toulouse side reduced to 14 men in the 11th minute following a red card for their Argentinian winger Juan Cruz Mallia; a potentially very healthy lead to take back to a vibrant Kingspan Stadium for next Saturday’s second leg (kick-off 8pm).
But entering the last minute, and having turned down any number of penalties at goal, Toulouse were rewarded for their attacking brio with a converted try by Romain Ntamack; possibly the most significant moment of the first leg.
They even threatened a remarkable comeback win when Th …
- April 11, 2022
