We knew that Toulouse was a great attacking team. Now we know they're a great defensive team. The way they held off Leinster's onslaught for 90 minutes was superhuman. The more time passed, the more I thought the Toulousans would eventually crack, overwhelmed by the Irish waves. But no! I've rarely seen a match played at such an intense level. It's a reminder that a match with zero tries can be as good or even better than the matches we've seen in previous rounds. Well done to both teams, who shoulder to shoulder made this final a legend in this incredible sport.

Always impressed when I go to france to see how they love their clubs and how this is a matter of culture and identity. Top 14 is such a beautiful and tuff league.

This game was a nail biter. The two teams were neck and neck. My heart was beating for Toulouse but, if Leinster had won this final it would have been also deserved. What a game!!!! I held my breath for 100 minutes. Leinster and Toulouse are proper magnificent.

I was there (Saints fan) and it was brilliant, 2 great sides, a host of superb performances and a wonderful atmosphere.

That's 2 great european cup finals in a row. Last year was awesome too. We are lucky

I’m still baffled why Leinster didn’t take the kick at the posts. Toulouse were bullying them at the breakdown and maul. Senior leadership should have seen this and adjust their decisions

As a Leinster fan, I’m still a bit meah about the result but in the biggest tightest of games I’ve seen in a long time DuPont was just head and shoulder above everyone. He was absolutely next level.

From France, great fairness is what I like, thank you, all points valid, wish I had been there.

This final was a thriller - an epic, thunderous battle and Toulouse edged it. Congratulations to both teams, and this comes from a Munster fan who watched as Ronan O'Gara missed a drop goal in Toulouse in the semi-final in April 2003. Munster had led until the 74th minute thanks to four kicked scores. Michalak got a late try and Toulouse held on when a late O'Gara drop kick went wide. Speaking of kicks. Leinster were knocked out of the URC by Munster last season after not taking available penalty kicked scores. A Crowley drop goal beat them at the death. This season,. Leinster lost at the death to Ulster after turning down a penalty kicked goal for another lineout effort. Leinster did finally try a drop kick, but at the time, I thought they could have gone one more ruck phase to make the kick easier for Frawley. By then Toulouse looked tired and Leinster were getting on top in the collisions in the final minutes. The try that broke this game open was great, but the referee helped make it with a very harsh yellow card on Lowe. However, Leinster's discipline collapsed in the second half of extra time. Toulouse were a man down by then, and at half time in extra time, it was still there for Leinster.

As aToulouse supporter, delighted but nervously wrecked, after a suffocating game. First of all my thoughts to Leinster Fans and players. I do feel for them. I'm pretty sure they will make the Final again next year, i do think even today they are the best team in the world, and with Jordi barret in the mix they might be even better. But they have to find the right balance between the Attack oriented game they had previously and the Nienaber defense and somewhat sterile approach of now. Toulouse won thanks to a huge heart and commitment in Defense. You could feel the desire on ST players faces. Add to this the final-wining mentality that this team has and that's it. Delighted for Willis, Mallia and Kinghorn among others. Those players quickly adapted to the team and just found an accomplishment at the highest level. Cheers.

Easily best rugby channel on KZfaq. Thanks Tim Toulouse were sensational - any team in the world would have been up against it facing this team. Dupont was on another planet. Willis was magnificent. How many tackles did he make?!?!? Great final.

Leinster can be proud, they made Toulouse change their playstyle, go hard for turnovers, including Dupont Ntamak. Knowing that Toulouse made the youngsters play last week to give the ace team 2 weeks to prepare physically, and they played 100 minutes, and that was impressive. well played from them. As for Toulouse, Willis was insane, Dupont is Dupont, there weren't a lot of great opportunities to shine as toulouse likes it, and we were beaten on scrum, but the defense man! I'm still shocked of how close the leinster came in the toulouse 22 and not getting any points, that was so impressive.

Another great summing up of a great game. Well done. 💚☘️🏉💙

Eggchasers rugby is the best, think all rugby fans love u Tim, nice to see real love for rugby, think i can say we love it in South Africa ❤

Hey Tim! Another great video. I think there is three things that defined the game for me 1. Toulouse absolutely dominated the breakdown. 2. Leinster backline is missing some game breakers. They need Ringrose and they need a super star flyhalf. 3. DuPont had one of the best games I have ever seen from an individual player.

The Larmour try saving tackle was 1 of the moments of the game

Great game between two excellent teams with the result going to the correct side on the day. From Leinster point of view I was brought up playing with the old line "Keep the scoreboard ticking over". Ski masks were worn in the changing room afterwards. As for Dupont, I am old enough and fortunate enough to have seen some great players and it is difficult to compare positions etc of so many great players and as the game has changed so much, but his skill set, stamina, decision making and top two inches he is right up there with the very best in the game

First off, congratulations Toulouse that was an epic final; I think everyone's BPM hit 200 in that stadium at some point!! I also thought the referee's were great, the try at the end of the first half was the only 50/50, but it was whatever... Heart broken as a Leinster fan, this game reminded me of the RWC QF against New Zealand, where NZ got ahead early and we were left chasing the game; the lads knew we had to get ahead if we wanted to stand a chance and I think some of them panicked... The whole "not taking the 3 points" thing came from the first final against La Rochelle, where we took 3 points and they'd score a try - the squad has a lot of demons to battle, I'm not sure where the squad goes from here...

Love your fairness to all - we need more of this

Vive Toulouse, la grande ville de rugby ! 🎉

I admire Ross Byrne's total commitment but you are right, he is not the man for the position. Frawley doesn't have his fear, for I think that's what's at the back of his slow responses, he doesn't exude confidence. He is a good player but not top notch enough for the job that he needs to do. You are also right about Sexton in the World cup quarter final, he was knackered, okay hindsight, and I always regret the ball was not recycled when that famous surge over the New Zealand line ended with that famous hand under the ball. Actually when New Zealand kicked off after that it went straight to Dorris who knocked it on inside the twenty two, it was like Ireland were mentally somewhere else for normally Doris would have ploughed into the New Zealand backs again and set up another maul. All hindsight of course. Leinster not taking the points from penalties was depressing to watch especially when their game wasn't sharp enough to convert kicks to the corner into tries as they and Ireland normally did. Toulouse did take the penalties and immediately were up to nine points. But Leinster continued to go to the corner instead of timing when they did it with parity on the scoreboard. They should have won it but they didn't, that's the way it is. Like last year they had a gaping drop goal being on the line of La Rochelle next to the post and didn't go foe a simple drop goal in front of the posts, game won, it's astonishing they didn't do that as Munster had done to them a week before! But this is Leinster and they need to know when to go and when to be pragmatic and they wern't yesterday.

I think the biggest thing I noticed as a Sharks and Springbok supporter was the lack of scoreboard pressure offered Leinster they had lots of penalties in that first 20 minutes and kept going for the try as opposed to putting points up. That was a difference to the prior day, every penalty, the Sharks kicked. Also Touloise did that, they took the points when offered.

Surely a huge advertisement for rugby. In my opinion a much better showpeace and better atmosphere than the FA Cup Final that was on at the same time. The Top14 must be the top league in the world at the moment. Where Super Rugby was in the 2000s and early 10. Congrats to Toulouse⚫️🔴🇫🇷. From 🇿🇦. I really hope one of our teams can make such an amasing occasion.

It's a sport. It's a game. And whatever the result it was a great and spectacular show. Thanks to both teams to make people love rugby.

I think every genuine rugby fan agrees with you, Dupont is the best rugby player in the world and perhaps the GOAT.

great summary. as a leinster fan who was at that game, Dupont was the deciding factor for me. he was superb, as was Willis and others but Dupont is off the charts brilliant. his turnovers, especially the one from sheehans break, alongside his 50-22s was sublime. A privilege to witness such a great player. gutted we lost but no shame losing to that Toulouse intensity. Won't be surprised to see a rematch between these teams next year in cardiff. what a match that would be?

Great summary of the match, no self-flagellation, realistic... It was a final worthy of the name, suspense, commitment, two fantastic teams... I'm French, I love France.. Ireland is my second favorite country for rugby. My first international match was a France-Ireland match, I was 8 years old and I remember it like it was yesterday. I'm sure Leinster will have their next star... but no more than Toulouse, okay?

Brilliant analysis. Great channel

I was 50/50 about subscribing to you but your enthusiasm and love for the game is just infectious, LOVE the fact you focused on Toulouse winning this final as opposed to Leinster loosing it - spot on analysis

In the 2022 Final that Leinster lost to La Rochelle I seem to remember Leinster kicking all their pens and losing. I wonder if the mindset of kicking to the corner started there?

Thanks. It was very close. Well done both teams, to all players, public.

I think that Leinster have not played enough together as a full strength team since the 6 Nations. This is just one of the many small margins that separated the 2 teams in a great final.

Thank you Tim for pointing out about Leinster fluffing their lines. They didn’t. It was one of the most finely balanced finals ever. It was a classic. The sheer genius of DuPont and the unbelievable defence of Toulouse. I am gutted (as already I said in a previous video) but there is no need for a massive review of Leinster. No need for a rethink. Leinster will come good again. I have no doubt. And what a rivalry we have to look forward to the next time they meet. Fine margins. If the drop goal goes over, just one kick, the whole narrative changes. So happy to have you as my go to pundit. You’re so consistent and reliable and you love the game so much it is a pleasure to listen to you. Keep it up and I will keep recommending you to the rugby aficionados that I know

I know it's history now, but I totally agree, Jack Crowley should have been brought on with 15 minutes to go in the WC. Not sure if the result would have been different but I believe it would have been. Maybe, we'll learn from it.

As a Leinster fan I’ve been saying since he came on the scene Ross is URC level not European. Compare him to Crowley, different leagues. Also, you can’t win trophies in the gym. The protection of the ball in tackle is honed on the field, the ball went loose in contact too many times.

Tim , thanks , great analysis . Toulouse did their homework . Stop Leinster by going for breakdown and take ball wide quickly to expose the SA/ Leinster defence system - the Toulouse try. Kick you points ( Leinster did same against Ulster only last week and lost the game) ; blunt attack all year - not as fluid as last year . Frawley made a big difference . Need Frawley/ Pendergast at 10 and stick with them . Somehow not as hard to take as last year- season not over yet . Yes , be different next year BUT need to sort 10 . On to Connacht on Friday . My idea of redemption this year is winning URC final in SA or Thomand 😊

Two brilliant teams in an epic battle.

A lot of kick at goal comments (agree) but the real issue was once LINE KICK - these kicks were terrible (leaving 15+m), leaving way too much for maul to do…..JS used to do it as well but not tho this degree…..scared shitless of missing touch but this needs to sorted……

And it must be said, the value of a great scrum. And how it contributes to the game.

(Leinster Fan here) in no particular order... 1) we turned over too much ball from knock ons and at the breakdown. 2) We didn't take points where we could have. 3) We need a better 10 for big games. 4) Toulouse and in particular, Dupont and Willis were magnificent. 5) On the same vein as Ross Byrne in big games, I don't think the ref was good enough for the big stage. His level of consistency was erratic. Overall, on the day, no complaints... a brilliant exciting game and Toulouse deserved their 6th star.

Great video once again Tim! The Leinster (& Irish) decision-making to go for the corner vs posts comes back to trying to beat the ABs for the first time in their history and then the series in NZ, i.e. to beat the AB's you have to score tries. They're so well drilled that when they go to the corner, the kick takes them 5 meters out, and then have a well-constructed maul or a tricky set play which most times, would result in a try. Seems they've lost that cutting edge and or teams are figuring them out in this aspect.

In a final you take your points, scoreboard pressure trumps any other kind. Captaincy and coaching needs to take responsibility.

To lose to Toulouse after 100 minutes when the drop kick should have won it for Leicester in the 80 minutes. Always the brides maid, never the bride ! Great game and lived up to the expectations. Cheers Tim.

I think Leinster let it slip. They were great in fighting to get to extra time. However they didnt capitalise on their momentum.

Great review Tim - what an absolutely classic final 🎉

Best rugby channel on KZfaq. Thanks Tim! Have the Leinster men been overconfident? I thought they caused Toulouse a headache; Dupont and Ntamack were under loads of pressure and the Toulouse attack was sterile. Equally Toulouse were amazing on the breakdown and they have learnt the lessons of the past defeats; maybe that’s it, Leinster didn’t learn from the past and just did what they have done the last 3 years…I don’t know. Kinghorn, Willis and Dupont have been immense. Chocobares I thought was very good as well!

Absolutely, Toulouse is the only city (more than 1 million people) in Europe where rugby comes before soccer.

Leinster fan, always check out what you have to say, disappointed with some decisions, Lowe Yellow, but have no complaints, Frawley the width of a post away from glory.

Leinster perfect defense against Dupont but Dupont defended like god

Leinsters defence was immense all season. Credit to Nienaber. But accusing Nienaber of ruining their attack is uncalled for it’s not his job. He was appointed for defense and delivered. Y’all need to hammer the attack coach ffs. Secondly you can’t blame a defense coach if you got beaten with 14 men on the pitch aka James Lowe yellow.

Excellent summary Tim. Leinster (and Ireland) need to figure out how to win cup rugby not just league tables.

In a final you take the points I understand why they went for the corner but 3 points is 3 points great game

In finals you TAKE your 3 points when offered to you. This comes up over and over and over but some teams never seem to learn. Take the 3 for heavens sake and keep scoreboard pressure.

Great video. Thank you for producing and releasing it. You eloquently summed up Dupont - and it is hard to put it into words. What an honour to watch him play. Also note the spirit he plays it as well. Totally agree re his Sevens experience - there was one jackal in particular that he was on like a shot that I thought was a lot down to his sevens playing. He also looks even fitter now because of it as well.

As a Lunster fan, it was a fair result

Thanks for the great videos I really enjoy them.

Said it before the game have said all season Byrne has had so many chances. Doesnt control the game need a 10 to match the other players. Am 82 and hope am here next year to see them try again with a replacement of JS that can do the job. Gutted.

Leinster does need a better 10…honestly our best chance is kicking game next year with Barrett 😂

Leinster missed Garry Ringrose, and you're correct about Ross Byrne and their attack has lost its edge. Fair Play Toulouse.

At the end of the day, Leinster had about 5 opportunities to go for the posts but went to the corner instead. And then failed to score from any of them in the 80. All credit to the Toulouse defence and Dupont in particular. But it's hard not to see it as Leinster missing their chances and not getting it done.

I’ve seen many photos of Toulouse players in ski masks this time I don’t know what you’re talking about 😂😂 love the channel 👏

the Leinster we know and love

I’m an Irish man but surely Farrell has to look to more Munster players. Coombes, hodnet, baron, yager, Haley…Consistently going to hard places and winning. I’m an ulster man but I can’t see why we are continuing to pick players who clearly have mental fragilities in big games. 3 years in a row, 1/4 final defeat - it’s now undeniable

For me I was expecting Leinster to defend like South Africa and disrupt the Toulouse backline and force them to make errors, but instead, to me it seemed like Toulouse defended that way and that seemed to cause the lack of accuracy and hesitancy in the Leinster backline. I did think Toulouse wasn't able to keep up that early momentum but the Du Pont factor seemed enough to spark the rest of the team to life. For me as you said the Leinster bench made a big difference as we thought they might and I actually thought Leinster was getting better as the game went on. Not so much as a try scoring threat, but like you said with the kicking, they could have still won this one. In the end a great game for us rugby fans

Magnificent 80 minutes

Cracking game. No quarter given or expected. 2 teams giving 100% during their time on the pitch. Shame there had to be a loser.

I think metres made per carry will highlight how well Toulouse attack. Liensters defence is unreal.

Good work Tim.

My view is the adaption to running rugby, making mistakes in crucial times by trying to play a quick ball. I also think that the yellow card to Lowe was a bit harsh at a critical time

Love to see your subs growing. Testament to the great job you are doing.

What day would you be arriving in South Africa ? We need to welcome your visit at the airport. ! ? . You've been nothing but great to the Boks and their fans. We definitely appreciate that sentiment. Hope your stay here is awesome. The big Dogs will look well after you here. Stay Safe

Many ,many thanks!

I hope Ringrose is fit again soon. He has that x factor you speak of.

As a Leinster fan I'm gutted at that especially because we made it so close and actually looked like winning in the last 40. I wish I could blame the terrible reffing but i can't because we still had the opportunity to win multiple times but couldn't because Tolouse played really well and played the ref far better than we did which ultimately was the difference.

Completely agree on your Ross Byrne Johnny Sexton analogy. It is ridiculous to consider your first 10 so superior to your second 10, that they are still better even with one leg or complete exhaustion.

Rugby, the best team sport in the world, as long as the old boys at world rugby keep their sticky fingers out of it 🎉

Willis and Kinghorn were good to begin with, but by playing with Toulouse they have become an absolute reference. This club improves its players like no other club can! Toulouse were far more realistic than Leinster, who were nonetheless very good, playing when they had to and taking points when they had to. The French have learned that English way.

Great rugby match. No need to change the rules. But WR know better.

Kicks to corner for Leinster. Kicks to corner World Cup quarter final Ireland same result. Maybe Tim maybe your as good a judge as any

It’s painful to be a Leinster fan 😢

Thanks for the great analysis Tim. The Touluse counter ruck, what a weapon it is they always do it on the edges and almost every time it's a turnover. But in any aspect of the game they are great. Probably the best club team in the world at this moment. But' as you metioned if the dropgoal go's trough the posts... 😊

One thing that you have not mentioned is two dodgy calls in the Toulouse 22 in the first 15 mniutes. There was no knock on - clip is on twitter - before Lowe touched down on advantage. And Ntamack clearly rips the ball from Jenkins before McCarthy touced down. . An exciting game for rugby fans. Im not sure it would have sparked as much interest for the neutral as a Fra v Sth Africa for example. Dupont was amazing i agree and WIllis should be one of the first names on the England team sheet

the Leinster loses his final on his lack of realism and the huge defense of Toulouse, Willis 41 tackle, Dupont 4 turn-over, lebel 16 tackle, Mauvaka 14 🤯 in any case congratulations to the Leinster who has not demerits, you have a great team, you will win it one day and good luck for the URC 👍

Outstanding Tim. As ever. Justin, Dublin.

Great content as usual, well done

Great analysis as always. Great defensive effort from Toulouse today. FYI Willis and Dupont were both rated with 9/10 by french newspaper L'Equipe. As a Toulouse fan, today's Willis performance remind me Dussautoir as it's best.

The two best rugby teams in the world is an overstatement if i may...easily in the top 5 .

Great video keep it going 🔥

Excellent post, as always. Good analysis. Unfortunately agree re Byrne. Applaud Frawley for balls to go for drop goals.

Great analysis as usual. Poor decision making at key stages cost Leinster the game. That and the breakdown. It was obvious from early on that it would be a tight game. Take any points that are on offer. SA would have. Disappointed again but Toulouse are a class act.

As a frenchman, I think the main Leinster failure was the incapacity to adapt to a situation. They continued playing their stereotypical rugby even if they quickly knew it was not working.

Tim, you say Leinster didn’t fluff their lines but then list out all the mistakes they made, the poor passing, bad decision making etc. As well as statistically dominating. I think it’s a reasonable conclusion to say they did fluff it, when they had everything going for them.

No one is talking about the 10, 12 and 13 axis for Leinster that was missing. Sexton, Henshaw and Ringrose was the reason for the attack not firing this year and not the Nienaber defensive system

-Totally agree about Byrne. But lets face it, Leinster/ Ireland have a hole to fill at 10. O'Gara was great, Sexton took it to the next level and to fill those boots is nigh on impossible. Ps. I realise O'Gara played for Munster, but you get my point I hope. -English rugby has always felt it's above & precious. -Kinghorn is a much better tackler than Ramos. And that's why he plays. -And a HUGE AMEN to Dupont for being Dupont.

Genuinely the best game I've seen since the world cup Santiago Chocobares, Antoine Dupont Jack Willis and many more were brilliant yesterday... With regards to the media in the northern Hemisphere that's expected from them they are quick to build up and overhype players and teams and quick to overly criticise those same players due to form and one off moments in SA we do criticise players but not like how they do there I think that can affect the players mentality in bigger games you can see that some Journalists have never played any sports by the way they report.

Okay so hangovers subsided a bit. I do fully agree with your interpretation on how this is spun, there is a lot of positives and any final that goes into et is a joy to behold. It was a fantastic spectacle. Not a fan of carley but we'll leave that. Leinster need to kick more points in their knockout games. Its simple. I get it, they like their attacking rugby but the balance of kicking and going to the corner was totally mismatched here. Just one more penalty scored wouldve won them the game but alas not to be. Did nienber tell them this??? Its how sa played their knockouts so id be baffled if he didnt point out the importance of taking what you can... it just raises so many questions. This is incredibly similar to why Ireland were knocked out in the wc. Is it arrogance? Do they not see a trend here? Im an irish fan rather a leinster fan so im not too devastated but i can imagine the full blooded leinster fans are absolutely raging theyve let another final slip between their fingers. Ouch.

Leinster were undercooked. Big players, Rested for South Africa. Rested for Ulster. Madness. Leo has to go.

congrats toulouse but to have a great rugby match you must have 2 great teams and Leinster is a great team too. They reminds me a litle bit Clermont in top 14 who lost many finals too and yes Antoine dupont is ... i have no words !!!

I always thought Doupont was overated particularly in previous games aginst Ireland and Leinster but I must admit he was brilliant in that final on Saturday. Credit to both teams for a terrific game. Interesting to hear Ronan O'Gara's post match comments that Leinster one of the most consistent teams in rugby and were relentless in attack but credit to Toulouse defense . Leinster now have to clear their heads and go for the URC Championships.

Reste à l"équipe de France maintenant, de battre à nouveau l'équipe d'Irlande et la boucle sera bouclée!. Bravo et respect, aux Lester