There’s no other team in Europe that could test the Leinster defence as Toulouse could

WELL THE view from section 526, row W, Aviva Stadium was every bit as pretty as that from Faha Ridge, Mount Brandon. It wasn’t always pretty as this fixture was a serious test of precision, patience and pedigree under the most extreme of conditions. From the outset you knew if all went to plan either side were capable of winning this Heineken Cup semi-final.

Saturday copperfastened the notion that not all goes to plan. In those lonely times of great exposure the generals need to stand tall and, where necessary, like flamingos on one leg.

At times Toulouse were magnificent. I’ve long questioned the value of France fullback Clement Poitrenaud, and certainly at centre, but when he has the ball in both hands he is a marvel. In fact the difference between the sides was most evident when he was either in possession or defending. Clearly Gordon D’Arcy targeted him, dancing at will making vital yards when there were none available elsewhere. But on a number of occasions Poitrenaud found himself in broken field, ball in both hands.

Leinster defended with great patience as they have done countless times before. But this was no Magners League match. There’s no other team in Europe that could test the defence as Toulouse could. Like many times before Leinster shepherded the ball carrier before pouncing – but this afforded Toulouse (Poitrenaud ) to line up support runners as he did on 32 minutes.

This time he ran at Jonny Sexton and then darted towards Shane Horgan all the while Cedric Heymans was lying in wait. Where Leinster were attracted to the breakdown Toulouse were attracted to their ball carrier. Dangerously, Leinster stood off and allowed Toulouse to develop, allowing the French side 55 per cent more metres run with the ball. That Toulouse scored but two tries, one in each half, is testament to the extraordinary effort from Leinster.

If you were stupid enough to suggest how Toulouse lost this game, then they did so in the first half. With very measured patient play they managed to honey pot Leinster into the breakdown. Time and again blue shirts swarmed over the ruck, crucially slowing the ball, eking out valuable seconds to rearrange defensively. For the first time this season Leinster’s defence became very narrow and a more ruthless Toulouse could have exploited it.

Dave Pearson was never far from play and as early as the third minute he made his first breakdown “call” as Sexton tackled Poitrenaud while Brian O’Driscoll engaged early to steal the ball. Pearson was to swing both ways on this interpretation especially for O’Driscoll’s yellow card. But this first penalty was very costly as Florian Fritz pounced for a seven pointer.

Leinster of yore may have internalised this early blow but this team is made of sterner stuff. Seven minutes in and Pearson makes another big call when Leo Cullen gets on the ball at ruck time. This time the pendulum swings to Leinster who relieve their lines. It was a big call from Pearson and a big play by Cullen as Toulouse were stacked wide for another seven points. Throughout the half Toulouse created chances but seemed to have the wrong person in midfield to maximise.

Not a minute later D’Arcy made a superb break that ended up under the Toulouse posts. Now Pearson, why did your yellow card stay in your pocket for that very obvious momentum-stopping foul? With the exception of D’Arcy Leinster were shy of the line electing to go over and back and over again hoping a hole would open up. Repeatedly Isa Nacewa was brought into play but was treble teamed. Toulouse were magnificent in defence.

This was no Magners League match alright and Leinster would have to dig very deep under Toulouse to get through. Leinster had a great scrum on the right putting O’Driscoll out wide into space where he switched with Nacewa who got hammered. From the quick ruck O’Driscoll grubbers the ball into touch; inches gained from the tightest of defences. Then the Leinster digging starts, pummelling the line for Jamie Heaslip’s try; phew.

At the lull of half-time it was obvious this was no ordinary match and as such account had to be made while examining the performance in the opening 40 minutes. Leinster, though, had struggled to impose their game on Toulouse which was a major worry with just 14 men on the pitch. The ball carriers were isolated and unable to offload. Gone were the double-adapter support players so crucial in ensuring quick ruck ball. This slowed the flow of ball and prevented Leinster running hard lines. Eoin Reddan was to unfairly suffer from the trench warfare.

But the hardest line of the match came from O’Driscoll to make it 29-20. On my goal line I don’t know who I’d avoid more, Louis Picamoles or O’Driscoll, but take a closer look at how Vincent Clerc approached defending O’Driscoll. For the duration of the evolving ruck Clerc’s eyes were fixed on the breakdown. He only lifted his view as the ball was spun out – far too late to prepare for the next wave. Great try O’Driscoll, poor play Clerc.

With Shane Jennings on the bench I was very interested to observe the opensides. Yannick Nyanga was electrifying soaking up space, making crucial tackles and slowing the ball until he walked into a door. Seán O’Brien is not that type of player and Jennings made a big impact on arrival, giving much better balance to the backrow but playing a very focused openside role. Along with Stan Wright’s cameo there’s much food for thought on selection for the final.

With six minutes remaining and the score standing 29-20 Pearson again blew his whistle. This time it was 47 metres from Leinster posts and Toulouse had a decision to make. Guy Noves from the touch line waved three fingers. Toulouse had been in this position many times and knew what to do. Nicolas Bezy slotted the goal and a converted try was all they need. Leinster at home in front of their magnificent support with their bench emptied were not going to budge. What a show.

Finally if the IRB invent a new game to rival Sevens and they call it Threes my picks would be Strauss, O’Brien and Nacewa. That’s all I’ll need!