2009/10 Heineken Cup Preview: Toulouse vs. Leinster

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 29, 2010

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The penultimate round of the Heineken Cup gets underway with the reigning champions travelling to face the most decorated team in the history of Europe in what will be a mouth watering clash.

 

To say this is a difficult match to predict is a massive understatement.

 

On one hand, you have Stade Toulousain, whose trophy cabinet is more stacked than any team in France.  The 17 time French champions can also boast a Heineken Cup record that is without parallel, including three titles, two more final appearances, and a staggering 11 appearances in the final eight.

 

However, this year they've been solid, but far from spectacular.  Fifteen wins from 26 matches in the Top 14 this year is very unlike the powerhouse.  Their road to the semifinal was similar, for despite five wins in pool play with just the solitary loss to the Cardiff Blues, they were not faced with any top level opposition.

 

In the quarterfinal, however, they made their most emphatic statement of the season, smashing Stade Francais 42-16.

 

Leinster have been quite the opposite.

 

The Heineken Cup champions navigated their way through a tough pool, playing an in form London Irish for a loss and a draw.  But it was against medium (with the greatest respects!) strength teams Brive and Scarlets that they showed their real power, winning all four matches by at least 17 points.

 

They were given a scare by a very good Clermont side, having to come back against the French and rely on the boot of Jonathan Sexton, who kicked seven from eight.  Indeed the boots—or lack thereof—of their opponents, who missed six goals and three drops, conspired to give Leinster a 29-28 win.

 

In the Magners League, Leinster have truly shown their transformationn as a...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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