These two-leg European matches are never just a repeat of the week before. As Dan McFarland analyses how Ulster beat a 14-man Toulouse in France just days ago, this week in Belfast against 15 players is a dramatically different event. He knows it.
The main triggering point is that the Top 14 and European champions must win the match or the European dream of defending their title vanishes. As was the issue in the south of France, Ulster’s ability to stop the French doing what they do runs to the core of the issue.
Just Leicester Tigers 2000-2002, Leinster 2019-12, three times successive winners Toulon 2012-15 and Saracens 2015-17 have successfully defended their titles.
Toulouse, although five times winners, have never done i …
- April 13, 2022
