Looking ahead to Toulouse vs Ulster - Champions Cup QF

The third quarter-final of the Champions Cup will take the form of Pro 14 runners-up Ulster taking on Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday afternoon.

Toulouse have been a powerful force in the tournament so far, recording six wins from six outings.

Ulster boast a decent record of their own, with five victories out of six games – their loss occurring against Clermont back in January.

While Toulouse have been largely dominant in their wins (their smallest margin of victory being 5 points), Ulster have squeaked home on a couple of occasions, with two one-point wins over Premiership sides Harlequins and Bath.

Ulster, as touched on above, will go into the game with the disappointment of the Pro14 final in the back of their minds; Iain Henderson’s charges were picked apart by a vibrant Leinster outfit who have enjoyed a magnificent season.

From failure comes knowledge, however, and the knowledge that Ulster will hopefully have drawn from their loss could stand them in good stead when they take to the field at Stade Ernest Wallon.

The teams have not met so far in this year’s competition, thus expectations are varied. Ulster are no slouches in the forward department with players such as Marcell Coetzee, Rob Herring and Henderson, while in the backline, the likes of James Hume, Alby Mathewson and Jacob Stockdale ply their trade.

The Toulouse pack is not to be trifled with, boasting bruisers like Rynhardt Elstadt, Charlie Faumuina and Jerome Kaino, but it is in their backline where the real shining light of the team resides; Cheslin Kolbe.

Kolbe is quite possibly the most lethal attacker in world rugby at present. His sheer skill and natural instinct for the game translate into incredible feats on the field, every eye is trained on him and every breath held when the ball floats his way, and disappointment is almost non-existent.

Expect an interesting contest as some of Ireland’s best cross swords with some of the best of France (and the world) in what should be a lively arena.