1
Leinster 'definitely our most physical game of the season'
By Ian Cameron
After a bruising contest in Dublin, Toulouse backrow Rynhardt Elstadt admits Leinster were the French side's most physical challenge this season.
Leinster secured a bonus win over the visiting French side at the RDS and maybe, more importantly, revenge against the team to hand them their only loss in the competition so far this season.
The 6'6, 117kg forward is normally to be found in the second row for the Top 14 giants, but lined in the No.7 in what was a heavyweight pack sent into battle in Round 5 of the Heineken Champions Cup. The formidable Toulouse pack weighed in at roughly 950kg, with former All Blacks' tighthead Charlie Faumuina tipping the scales at 143kg.
"It was definitely our most physical game of the season," said Elstadt, who hails from Johannesburg in South Africa.
"They're right up there," replied the South African when asked where he saw Leinster in terms of this year's European competition. "They're definitely the team to beat."
In a gripping first half, Toulouse appeared to be winning the physical contest with the Dublin based side, but Leinster drew away in a vintage second-half performance.
Elstadt also dismissed the suggestion that Toulouse might have been relieved to see some of Leinster's big guns missing from the matchday 23.
"The next guy on the pitch is just as good. If you want a test of character, that's the team [Leinster] to play against."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Disagree.
The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
Go to comments