Toulouse European triumph throws up more questions than answers

The number of debatable collisions and questions about the laws of the game highlight the problems rugby faces in attracting a new audience

CELEBRATIONS: Toulouse players lift the trophy after victory over La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday.

In this strange, fractured sporting season we should probably be grateful there was a Champions Cup final at all. As Toulouse hoisted their record fifth European trophy into the evening sky it was momentarily possible to overlook all the wintry 28-0 Covid walkovers and logistical travel nightmares that had threatened to leave the organisers with nowhere to go.

From a sporting narrative perspective, too, it was heartwarming to see France’s new shimmering star Antoine Dupont share a joyful trophy lift with the 38-year-old former All Black Jerome Kaino, twice a World Cup winner and now a European champion as well. Kaino’s career ends this summer and his medal collection now ranks up with the very best.