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Leinster suffer late defeat at Toulouse, Newcastle snatch dramatic victory
By Alex Fisher
Holders Leinster suffered their first defeat of the 2018-19 European Rugby Champions Cup on Sunday as Toulouse produced a stunning finish to snatch a 28-27 victory in Pool 1.
Toulouse impressed throughout at Stade Ernest-Wilson and led 21-13 at half time thanks to the boot of Thomas Ramos and tries from Maxime Medard and Sofiane Guitoune.
Leinster emerged from the break with renewed energy and racked up 14 unanswered points to lead 27-21 before the hour – Jonny Sexton converting scores from James Ryan and Sean Cronin.
It was not enough for the defending champions, though, as Medard crossed with 12 minutes remaining, enabling Ramos to kick the match-winning points.
Victory ensured Toulouse maintained their 100 per cent record after two matches, a feat shared by Newcastle Falcons in Pool 5.
The Falcons left it extremely late to seal a 23-20 success over Montpellier, Callum Chick crossing nearly nine minutes after the clock went into the red.
Ruan Pienaar had kicked Montpellier into the lead after trailing at half-time, but a 39-phase move opened the door for Chick and he duly accepted to move Newcastle to the top of the table.
Glasgow Warriors' win over Cardiff Blues was much more straightforward, Adam Hastings top scoring as the Scottish side eased to a 29-12 victory in the Welsh capital.
Hastings, DTH van der Merwe and Ali Price all crossed in the opening 40 minutes and, although Cardiff tried to fight their way back, Glasgow proved too strong.
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Latest Comments
Reiko should be the dual winger guy as he should be used to playing either side given he's had to do both at 13 (pass and step left/right).
Maybe he has such a bad preference that that's why he's not a good center?
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
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