Toulouse defeated Exeter Chiefs 64 - 26 in a display of pure imaginative fluidity in the south of France yesterday. The way in which the French champions dismantled the former Premiership and European champions was a joy for the sun-basking fans to behold.
It was only in the second half that the match truly got away from the Chiefs, however, after a first half that left the match truly in the balance. After the break, it was purely Toulouse’s insistence on playing freely and without fear that led the boys in red to reach heights that their southern counterparts could not reach.
Even with the constant threat of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso banging on the Toulouse defence, the repeated attacking mistakes from his side caused their own attack to reverse to a minus score on multiple occasions. Quick to pounce on a loose ball and refuse to relinquish it until they had reached the Exeter try line, Dupont and co were simply unplayable.
Two tries for Blair Kinghorn justified his inclusion over the immensely talented Thomas Ramos as Toulouse boasted their embarrassment of riches, even from the bench.
Despite their loss, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter went on to say he was "hugely proud of the players for the commitment they put into the game."
Before adding: "I couldn't have asked anything more of them for what they've laid on the line, both physically and emotionally.
"When we came in at half-time, I think we had done a lot of what we wanted to do. The game was hugely competitive, we were right in the mix, and we put an awful lot physically into the game.
"In the second half, we probably couldn't maintain our quality in a couple of key areas."
Enjoy the incredible highlights here:
Toulouse will next welcome English side Harlequins as the two attacking sides create what is expected to be the spectacle beyond spectacles.
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