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Toulouse player ratings vs Harlequins | 2023/24 Champions Cup
By Ian Cameron
Toulouse player rating: The aristocrats of European rugby got it done in end but it didn’t come without a scare from Gallagher Premiership mavericks Harlequins, who traded tries with Ugo Mola’s side for the best part of 70 minutes.
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Here’s how we rate the Toulouse players.
1. Cyril Baille – 7
Held firm in the scrum, providing a stable platform despite the pressure from Harlequins’ pack. Worked tirelessly in defence and contributed well in open play but couldn’t always break through Harlequins’ strong defensive line.
2. Peato Mauvaka – 8
Handled brilliantly in the lead-up to Toulouse’s first try and was a formidable presence on both sides of the ball. Probably Toulouse’s most effective forward ball carrier.
3. Dorian Aldegheri – 6
Ultimately edged his battle with loosehead Fin Baxter in the scrum but improved as the match went on. Put in some dominant hits in open play.
4. Thibaud Flament – 7.5
Dominant in the lineout and delivered several important tackles to disrupt Harlequins’ attacking flow. Took his try well from close range on 26 minutes at the expense of Chandler Cunnigham-South.
5. Emmanuel Meafou – 7
The giant second row carried hard and delivered thunderous hits, slowing Harlequins’ progress at critical moments and compounding their misery as a ball carrier. Thoroughly unpleasant to tackle.
6. Francois Cros – 7
As usual lead the tackle count for the French side. The French flanker was machine-like in defence and at the breakdown, even if he was wrong-footed by Tyrone Green.
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7. Jack Willis – 7
Despite not reaching the heights of his last Investec Champions Cup outing, he delivered a solid performance against his English countrymen. Made crucial tackles and proved disruptive at the breakdown.
8. Alexandre Roumat – 6
Worked hard in defence but was somewhat overshadowed by his teammates and the Harlequins back row.
9. Antoine Dupont – 9
Controlled the tempo with slick passing and dangerous runs, keeping Harlequins’ defence guessing throughout. Scored twice and looks even sharper after being on the SVNS circuit, consistently posing a threat with his speed and vision. His head-to-head with Jamieson Gibson-Park in the final will be box office.
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10. Romain Ntamack – 8
Commanded the game’s pace with tactical kicks and sharp passing that opened up Harlequins’ defence, most notably with a sublime pass for Matthis Lebel’s opening try.
11. Matthis Lebel – 6
Troubled Harlequins with his speed and agility on the wing, consistently threatening the line, taking his opening try well with just 3 minutes on the clock. Against that his mismanagement of a Louis Lynagh kick directly led to a try for catch and drive try for Harlequins.
12. Pita Ahki – 5
Defended poorly against Marcus Smith for Harlequins’ first try but had a hard day at the office containing Harlequins’ midfield. Struggled to impose himself with ball in hand.
13. Paul Costes – 7
His defence creaked at times but his high rugby IQ was on show in attack, helping to set up Dupont’s first try with a street-smart awareness for his dink through.
– Mais pourquoi ils sautent pas en touche ?! Ouais bah c’est ça! rattrappez vous en marquant un essai de 80m…
Ils ont des cannes et de l’envie au @StadeToulousain ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/7eZlvNivRq
— Investec Champions Cup France (@ChampionsCup_FR) May 5, 2024
14. Juan Cruz Mallia – y
Smart runs and a solid presence on the wing but lacked opportunities. Pounced in the 67th minute to put daylight between the home side and the visitors.
15. Blair Kinghorn – 5
A few unforced errors marred an otherwise decent performance. Hard to fault him for his failed attempt at stopping Cadan Murley in the corner. His kicking was reasonable.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Julien Marchand – 7
What a player to spring from the bench. Provided stability in the scrum and bolstered defensive efforts.
17. Rodrigue Neti – 6
Added fresh energy to the pack and performed well in set-pieces.
18. Joel Merkler – 6
Competent ball-carrying and reliable scrummaging.
19. Richie Arnold – 6
The giant Aussie brought some extra physicality and support in the lineout, even if he cost his teammates a turnover.
20. Mathis Castro – 6
Relentless at the breakdown in his short spell on the pitch.
21. Paul Graou – NA
Unused.
22. Santiago Chocobares – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
23. Thomas Ramos – 8
His vision and precise kicking kept Harlequins under constant pressure after he came on and his goal-kicking accuracy was helpful to say the least.
Shamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
Cros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22.
Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often.
Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
The Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
Amazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s.
Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x.
ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.