Bru And Toulouse Set Sights On 50

The Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints at Le Stadium will see the double champions attempting to become the first team to win 50 Heineken Cup matches in what will be their 70th tournament fixture.
And Test hooker Bru is just one appearance away from becoming only the third French player to make 50 Heineken Cup appearances and joining his clubmates Christian Labit and Fabien Pelous in the ERC Elite Awards "50 Club."
Current France hooker William Servat and Bru give Toulouse fantastic talent for the No 2 jersey but Bru admits: "I have to say that we are not feeling confident about this quarter-final.
"Under ideal conditions we are a strong side but we have had a lot to cope with. Our Six Nations players had a very difficult tournament and are exhausted. And, because of the number of French internationals in our squad, we have not played together as a complete team since February.
"We have had only one game to try to get our team working together again so we have not had the best preparation for the game.
"At the same time we have seen Northampton go from strength to strength and, with recent victories over Leicester and Gloucester, it seems they have put their problems in the domestic competition behind them.
"We know that when we played them in the Pool matches they were missing some key players through injury and that they are looking at having a full squad for this game.
"I do feel that Toulouse is a strong side, but it's a little more complicated than saying that we have a strong pack or a fast back-line. We are a very complete team with talented players in every position and we work towards playing a very rounded game.
"We have reliable set pieces and talented backs, but there are seven other teams in the quarters just as strong so it needs something special to get a victory.
"And as far as my 50th cap is concerned, I had no idea I had played that many games for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup. I take each game as it comes and I am always pleased to be selected.
"On the one hand it makes me feel very proud to have been such a consistent presence in the side, but on the other it makes me feel a little old and reminds me I need to enjoy every game I have left!
"As for Saints hooker Steve Thompson's line-out throwing, I have studied the strengths and weaknesses of the Northampton set pieces.
"I know he is often blamed for poor line-out performances but I am aware what precision is needed between the hooker, the jumpers and the lifters and problems with one element of this can bring the whole line-out down.
"Although we will try to put pressure on him, the problems in the line-out are rarely because of his throwing. He's a great player and I have great respect for his set piece work."