Stade Toulousain delivered a breathtaking exhibition of attacking rugby, running in eleven tries to demolish a severely depleted Sale Sharks 77-7 in their final Champions Cup pool match. The victory, coupled with other results, ensures both clubs progress to the competition's last 16, but the manner of the win was a stark demonstration of the gulf between the sides on the day.
A Record Defeat and a Kicking Masterclass
The result stands as Sale's record defeat in European competition. While the Sharks were missing 13 players and had already qualified, the sheer depth and quality of the Toulouse squad proved overwhelming. The French aristocrats, smarting from a defeat to Saracens the previous week, were in no mood for mercy.
The individual star was full-back Thomas Ramos, who produced a near-flawless performance from the tee. He finished with a personal tally of 27 points, scoring a try and landing a remarkable 11 conversions from 11 attempts. His final kick, from the wrong touchline, was a mere flourish on a display that reinforced his reputation as one of the world's most lethal goal-kickers.
One-Way Traffic from the Start
Any notion of an upset was extinguished almost immediately. The monstrous second-row Emmanuel Meafou powered over from an attacking lineout in just the third minute. Despite a valiant defensive effort from Sale, who held out for a 20-minute period under intense pressure, the dam broke regularly.
Hooker Julien Marchand scored from a driving maul before Toulouse unleashed the dazzling, multi-phase rugby for which they are famed. A sublime move released Antoine Dupont for the third try, the scrum-half maestro capping a flowing team move. The bonus point was secured on the stroke of half-time through Kalvin Gourgues, with Sale reduced to 14 men after a yellow card to Alex Wills.
Sale started the second half two men down after Sam Dugdale also saw yellow, yet they produced their finest moment, scoring a well-worked try through Tom Curtis just four minutes after the restart. That, however, was the final act of resistance.
Ruthless French Flair Seals the Rout
From there, it became a procession. Toulouse cut loose, adding seven more tries in a devastating display of power and precision. Dupont grabbed a second, again showing sublime support lines to finish after a Ramos cross-kick. Further scores came from Dimitri Delibes, Matthis Lebel (twice), Ramos, Baptiste Germain and Jack Brennan.
Incredibly, the scoreline could have been even more emphatic, with Toulouse having three further tries disallowed. Sale's misery was compounded by a third yellow card, shown to Hyron Andrews for a high tackle. The final whistle brought relief for the travelling Sharks, but confirmation of Toulouse's ominous form as the knockout stages loom.
While both teams advance, the match served as a powerful statement from the five-time European champions. With a fit-again Dupont pulling the strings and Ramos in metronomic form, Toulouse will be a feared opponent for any side in the last 16.
