Leinster are hoisted on Toulouse’s own Medard

LEINSTER’S impressive unbeaten run in the Champions Cup shuddered to a dramatic halt as the reigning champions fell to a 28-27 defeat at Pool 1 rivals Toulouse. After last weekend’s bonus-point victory over Wasps, Leinster — who won all their games on their march to the title last season — started the match at Stade Ernest Wallon as favourites against their fellow fourtime European champions. But an end-to-end game turned on a raking lengthof-the-field interception try in the dying minutes. Replacement Louis-Benoit Madaule picked up a loose pass and released Toulouse’s flying backs division. Moments later, Maxime Medard scored his second try of the afternoon to wrest back a lead the hosts had held until midway through the second half. The crowd, which had been noisy all afternoon, found an extra 20 decibels as Toulouse ramped up the pressure. All the late action was taking place in Leinster’s half, far from where they needed to be. Earlier, the hosts had raced into a 14-point lead inside the opening quarter, courtesy of three penalties from Thomas Ramos, and Medard’s first touchdown. It took Leinster 20 minutes to mount their first extended sortie into opposition territory. But for Toulouse stepping offside, that attack would have ended with the score at 21-0 as Cheslin Kolbe intercepted the final pass and ran free. Instead, Johnny Sexton reduced the arrears by three, and took full advantage of a second shot at goal minutes later. Then, Jack Conan burst free on the 22 after Toulouse had conceded another penalty. He hit the five-metre mark before offloading to Sean O’Brien, on for Josh van der Flier, to do the honours just after the half-hour mark. Suddenly, it was 14-13 and, just before half-time, Toulouse rallied. Sofiane Guitoune skipped free to score under the posts. Ramos converted to take the interval score to 21-13. Leinster started the second half by turning down an easy three points in favour of a kick to touch and James Ryan dived over from short range. Sexton converted to bring it back to a single-point. Sean Cronin ran in under the posts 10 minutes later, to take the visitors into the lead for the first time.

Toulouse were creaking, but they dug deep — and Medard did his scenestealing trick.

TOULOUSE: T Ramos; C Kolbe, S Guitone, R Ntamack (Y Huget 23), M Medard; Z Holmes (A Dupont 55), S Bezy; C Castets (D Ainu’u 61); J Marchan (capt) (L Ghiraldinini 55), C Faumuina (M van Dyk 55); F Verhaeghe, J Tekori(LB Madaule 57); R Elstadt, A Placines,S Tolofua.

Scorers - Tries: Médard (2), Guitoune Cons: Ramos (2). Pens: Ramos (3).

LEINSTER: J Larmour; J Tomane, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Lowe; J Sexton (capt), L McGrath (N McCarthy 74); C Healy(J McGrath 57), S Cronin (J Tracy 56), T Furlong (A Porter 56); D Toner, J Ryan; R Ruddock (S Fardy 66), J van der Flier (S O’Brien 18), J Conan.

Scorers - Tries: O’Brien, Ryan, Cronin Cons: Sexton (3). Pens: (2).

Referee: W Barnes (England).