Rugby story by Fred Smith, Sat, 17 Dec 2005 20:04:00 GMT


Toulouse have almost ended Edinburgh's hopes of progressing in the Heineken Cup after they registered a comprehensive win over the Scottish team. The score line of 35-13 might appear to indicate that Edinburgh were blown away, but that was not the case at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

Edinburgh showed plenty of spirit, but on the day had to bow to the might of the French side, which scored five tries. Finau Maka, Florian Fritz, Romain Millo-Chlusky, Yannick Nyanga and Jean-Frederic Dubois were the scorers for Toulouse. For the Gunners, Chris Paterson scored the only try in the match.

The first half was very competitive with both sides feeling out each other, but Toulouse took an early lead in just four minutes with a superb effort by the Maka brothers. Phil Godman replied for Edinburgh with a try and a penalty as the Gunners made a match of it.

But Yannick Nyanga and Florian Fritz put paid to any hopes of a strong showing by scoring within minutes of each other. Toulouse lost Maka to a groin tear and it is not clear if he'll take further part in this tournament. But the second half was all Toulouse as they blanked the Gunners and frustrated them by not allowing any chance to fall their way.

After the match Toulouse coach Guy Novès was in a happy frame of mind, "I could criticize my players for not kicking enough, but who am I to argue with five tries and a bonus point?" he asked. Edinburgh boss Todd Blackadder was very disappointed with his team's showing, "I'm very disappointed with the performance. We came here to have a real go but we hardly showed our intentions," he said. "We couldn't get enough ball and when we did get it we couldn't hold on to it. Toulouse were worthy winners."

Match details:
Referee: N Owens (Wales).

Toulouse: Poitrenaud (Fritz, 25); Clerc, Jauzion, Thomas, Heymans; Dubois, Elissalde; Poux, Bru, Hasan, Millo-Chlusky, Brennan, Bouilhou (Capt.), F Maka (Nyanga, 8), I Maka.

Edinburgh: Southwell; Paterson (capt), Di Rollo, Jorgensen, Webster; Godman, Blair; Hewett, Hall, Smith, Strokosch, Murray, Mustchin (Cross, 12), Hogg, Taylor.

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