Investec Champions Cup Last-16 Preview: Toulouse Vs. Sale Sharks
Investec Champions Cup Last-16 Preview: Toulouse Vs. Sale Sharks
Investec Champions Cup last-16 knockout match preview will see reigning champions Stade Toulousain host Gallagher Premiership side the Sale Sharks.
Wrapping up the Round of 16, reigning champion Stade Toulousain will welcome the Sale Sharks to the Stade Ernest Wallon for a blockbuster clash.
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Similar to its Top 14 rivals, Toulouse enters the clash as heavy favorite, even without the injured Antoine Dupont, who will miss the next six months with a torn ACL.
Scanning the Toulouse team sheet, it is easy to see why the bookies favor the home side with international stars all over the park. While it is impossible to replace Dupont, given the sheer quality of the French captain, his deputy Paul Graou is a tidy player in his own right.
Slotting in alongside Graou, French fly-half incumbent Romain Ntamack will shoulder more of the playmaking load with his long-term partner in crime injured.
Still just 25 years old, Ntamack is firmly hitting the prime years of his career and is one of the best No. 10s in the world at present.
Bringing a physical edge to the position, Ntamack is a threat on both sides of the ball and is more than capable of ripping off a big run. Most importantly, however, is his ability to facilitate for those around him, which has more often than not been his key role, with the likes of Dupont and Thomas Ramos being the chief playmakers at both club and international level.
For Sale, it is imperative that the Sharks match their hosts physically to limit the impact of Ntamack and the rest of the pacey Toulouse back line.
In this department, the two-headed monster of twin brothers Ben and Tom Curry will be the aces in Alex Sanderson’s pack.
Along wide No. 8 and fellow twin Jean-Luc Du Preez, the Curry Brothers are as good as it gets in the tackle and around the breakdown. Chopping down opponents in the most recent Six Nations, the two were crucial in England’s shock victory over France. Their ability to cover ground rapidly means that Toulouse will have to be bang on the money with its support play or risk conceding turnovers and penalties.
Moving the giant Toulouse pack around the park is a non-negotiable for the Sharks, as they simply will not win an arm wrestle against one of the biggest side in professional rugby.
As important as Ntamack is for Toulouse, England veteran George Ford is perhaps even more key at fly-half for the Sharks.
One of the very finest strikers of a rugby ball, with a top-notch tactical understanding, Ford’s ability to find space and pin Toulouse back will allow the Sharks to play the match on their terms. If Ford is slightly off his game, the Toulouse back three of Blair Kinghorn, Ange Capuozzo and Thomas Ramos will rip Toulouse to shreds.
This match will be closer than many think, but the big difference here comes on the bench, where Toulouse can call on some of the best players in the world. Chief amongst these players is Argentina superstar Juan Cruz Mallia, who is just about the last player a tiring defense would want to see come onto the pitch.
Again, this will be tighter than many believe, but if the Sharks were to win, it would be a major upset. Toulouse will weather the storm and continue its march toward defending its title. Toulouse by 15.
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