Toulouse keen to get back In groove

SITTING out last weekend’s Champions Cup final was not in Toulouse’s plans at the start of the season. It wasn’t part of Toulouse’s plans when their semi-final in Bordeaux kicked off.

- JAMES HARRINGTON

That much was obvious at the end of their surprise 35-37 loss at home against Racing the Saturday before last weekends finals in Cardiff. Coach Ugo Mola sent his players into a short break with these words: “You have eight days to come back with a different state of mind. Otherwise, we'll give away the championship like we gave the Champions Cup.”

You might be forgiven for thinking that this has been a poor season for Toulouse. By their standards, missing out on the Champions Cup final means it has fallen below expectations. Poor is relative.

Toulouse entertain Lyon at Stade Ernest Wallon this afternoon, before Toulon host new Champions Cup holders Bordeaux at Stade Mayol. It’s a rare double-rugby Sunday in France, the schedule shifted to accommodate last night’s Champions League final in Munich. Many across the country - rival ‘Ultras’ notwithstanding — turned into PSG fans for a couple of hours, at least.

And the fact is that, regardless of what happens today, Toulouse cannot be overtaken at the top of the table. They are assured of a bye to the Top 14 semi-finals. And they are setting records. With two matches left in the regular season, they have already scored more tries than any other side in Top 14 regular season history. They currently have 106 to their name, three more than the mark they set last season, with Lyon and Perpignan still to play.