Gerry Thornley: Be afraid, be very afraid, as Toulouse are more menacing than ever

Juan Cruz Mallia goes over for one of Toulouse's tries in their impressive win over Harlequins in the Champions Cup semi-final. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

After Matthis Lebel scored off a pinpoint kick-pass by the versatile Argentinian Juan Cruiz Mallia, the brilliant Capuozzo came across his wing to put scrumhalf Paul Graou over with a sumptuous step and offload. Toulouse would, of course, ideally like to complete a double, something they have only achieved twice, in 1995-96 and the pandemic affected 2020-21 season. But if they had to choose only one trophy, you’d suspect it would be the Champions Cup.

Bath extended them in the Stade Ernest Wallon a week later, the bonus point not arriving until the 77th minute, but Toulouse duly secured top seeding in the knock-out stages and a home route, while avoiding Leinster, to the final. The biggest boon, for player and club, was Dupont being excused duty from the Six Nations due to his Olympics Sevens commitments. As French captain at their home World Cup, no one had carried a heavier load than the game’s greatest player. He’s been refreshed and revived.

Perhaps most revealing of all was Mola declaring publicly before the Harlequins semi-final that while this was a very good Toulouse side, “they haven’t made history”. It was probably said to provoke his players.

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