Dec 09,2024
Ulster claimed an unwanted record when they conceded their biggest ever Investec Champions Cup points total as Toulouse swept past them 61-21 at Stade Ernest-Wallon.
The hosts had set the tone when Matthis Lebel went over in the corner inside two minutes before Romain Ntamack barged across from Antoine Dupont's pass.
Ulster responded with a 12th-minute try from James McCormack, but Toulouse soon scored again through lock Emmanuel Meafou before Italy international Ange Capuozzo capped off a fine move and Dupont touched down a fifth try.
Stewart Moore raced clear to get Ulster on the board again, but there was little respite as Meafou's second try made it 40-14 at the break, with the game effectively over as a contest by them.
Santiago Chocobares continued the onslaught in the second half from another flowing attack and Capuozzo went over after collecting a fine kick from Dupont.
Iain Henderson barged over for Ulster's third try with 13 minutes left before Toulouse completed a comprehensive win with a penalty try from the final action of the match, Thomas Ramos having kicked seven conversions.
Toulouse even had the luxury of bringing Dupont off in the final quarter as Ugo Mola's side laid down an early mark for the rest of their competition.
Toulouse: Thomas Ramos; Ange Capuozzo, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Santiago Chocobares, Matthis Lebel; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); David Ainu'u, Peato Mauvaka, Dorian Aldegheri; Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou; Jack Willis, Leo Banos, Alexandre Roumat
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Rodrigue Neti, Joel Merkler, Joshua Brennan, Theo Ntamack, Paul Graou, Paul Costes, Juan-Cruz Mallia
Ulster: Stewart Moore; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Michael Lowry; Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, James McCormick, Scott Wilson; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; James McNabney, Nick Timoney, David McCann.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Corrie Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.
Referee: Adam Leal (RFU)
