French surprise at ease of victory

THEY say a picture speaks a thousand words but the single word accompanying Jonny Wilkinson on the front of Midi Olympique said it all about the French reaction to Toulon’s victory over Munster: “Historique!”

Whilst it would be a bit of an overstatement to stay that Toulon’s win over Munster was greeted with profound shock here in France, the manner in which Tony McGahan’s men capitulated certainly seemed to be greeted with a kind of collective disbelief by commentators and fans alike.

Midi Olympique editor Jacques Verdier saluted the Top 14 side for their achievement but also chose to question Munster’s tactics.

“Sure, Munster did some good things like moving the ball around when down to 14 men,” Verdier noted sarcastically. “They never found the level of play of previous seasons that would have seriously worried Toulon, who were aware of all the issues. Tactically and strategically, Toulon prepared themselves beautifully. Besides the alternation of Wilkinson and Contepomi which has only recently been added to the Toulon playbook, the Toulonais were much more fluid in their play and the partnerships better defined.”

Elsewhere, the vibe seemed to be the same. People have long memories in the south of France, almost as long as the shadow Munster has cast over the Heineken Cup for the last decade.

The win against Toulouse in Bordeaux in 2000, the performance at Perpignan last season and wins in spots such as Castres, Bourgoin and Montauban made Munster the most feared of all European rivals in France — a team with an appetite for beating French sides in their own back yard.

Former French flyhalf and l’Equipe pundit Alain Penaud was surprised at just how easily a tournament “heavyweight” had been dismantled.

“The Red Army (the team, not the fans) have rarely been so disappointing,” mused Penaud.

“The Irish were quickly defeated and capitulated in a way that has rarely been seen before. In my opinion, Munster lacked rhythm. There were two big heavyweights in this competition, Toulouse and Munster. Now the Irish province is out I see the final phases being more open. Beyond the Toulousains, I don’t see any other team with the ability to become (champions). Toulon, therefore have everything to gain. They are surfing on a wave of dynamism and euphoria that could sweep them away.”

Local paper Var Matin, had compared the two sides to Samson against Goliath in the build up, and called the Toulon victory “incredible but true”.

A euphoric Olivier Bouisson told his readers that Toulon had learned from their own horror show at Thomond Park last October and beaten Munster with their own methods.

“This Toulon team learns quickly. Very quickly indeed. To prove it, Toulon used the same recipe of aggression and intimidation that their executioner had used last October. And what about the elimination of Munster, a team that have not known such disappointment in twelve years … they’ll remember it for an eternity.”