Galway (Ireland) (AFP)

Objective fulfilled. The Stade Toulouse has qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Cup on Saturday, dominating the Irish province of Connacht (21-7), its fifth success in as many games in the group stage.

Toulouse laborious but Toulouse happy. In the grip of doubts in recent weeks in the championship, the Reds and Blacks have found a smile on the side of Europe by ensuring the essentials. Solid if not brilliant, this success on the banks of Connemara ensures them a place in the quarterfinals.

Better still, they are still racing for a quarter, or even a potential half, at home.

After a disappointing draw against Toulon (13-13) and an embarrassing defeat in front of the Stade Français (30-18), the Toulousains point to a very pale 7th place in the Top 14, outside the qualifying places. Worse, their exciting game from last season seems to have seized up in the heart of winter.

The return of Antoine Dupont, for his first tenure since the World Cup in Japan, has changed nothing.

The men of Ugo Mola did not necessarily reassure their supporters, very present at Galway Sportsground, but they fulfilled the contract by offering themselves the first place of pool 5. And this despite the yellow cards of the second line Iosefa Tekori (11th), winger Yoann Huget (72nd) and the red card of opener Zack Holmes (74th).

Pulsive, the Toulousains have generally mastered the game, carried by their pack, the neo-Bleu Julien Marchand at the head.

The hooker, recently called with seven of these teammates by Fabien Galthié for the Six Nations Tournament, registered his first try of the season (12-7, 38th) and allowed his team to pass after a complicated start to the game.

Because, in the rain and facing a greatly diminished team (20 injured!), The reigning French champion did the work before playing with fire in the last ten minutes losing, suddenly, Huget then Holmes for uncontrolled tackles.

In double numerical inferiority, the Toulousains held out, being as courageous as heroic. And, once again, they did not collect any points at the end of the match. It is a specialty of Haut-Garonnais.

This is exactly what the Stadists needed to give themselves some air. And see the quarters.

© 2020 AFP