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London Irish v Toulouse
15 - 21
Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham   Spect: 30,559
Referee: Alan Lewis
samedi 26 avril 2008, 15h00
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  • Heineken Cup semi-final: London Irish v Toulouse
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Compte-rendu du match
L’équipe de Toulouse qui comptait un grand nombre de blessés dans son effectif a su mettre de côté ses difficultés pour atteindre la cinquième finale de Heineken Cup de son histoire, un record en la matière, en battant London Irish devant 30 559 fans au Twickenham Stadium.

De retour sur la pelouse qui les a vus perdre lors de la finale de 2004, les Toulousains ont dû revenir en force et se donner à fond pour battre leurs adversaires anglais pour aller chercher cette victoire. Les London Irish quant à eux apparaissaient en demi-finale du tournoi pour la première fois de leur histoire.

Cela signifie que Guy Novès va à nouveau emmener son équipe à Cardiff, où Toulouse avait remporté la toute première finale du tournoi en 1996. La finale se déroulera le samedi 24 mai contre le vainqueur du match opposant Saracens à Munster en demi-finale demain.

London Irish aurait presque pu avoir un départ de rêve lorsqu’à la première minute Topsy Ojo a poursuivi le ballon botté par Peter Hewat qui est venu rouler dans l’en-but toulousain.

Finalement, ce sont les superbes efforts défensifs d’Yves Donguy qui ont permis de sauver le club français et, à force de tenir bon, ils ont pu revenir dans le match pour décrocher leurs premiers points lors d’une pénalité réalisée à la 10e minute par l’ouvreur Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

Cet avantage n’a pas duré très longtemps car Hewat a rééquilibré le score en réalisant à son tour une pénalité à 30m quatre minutes plus tard puis Ojo s’est illustré à son tour grâce à une belle action. Nick Kennedy a transmis à Ojo au niveau des 35m et a dépassé Elissalde, a couru en échappant à Cédric Heymans puis a franchi la ligne pour inscrire le premier essai de cette demi-finale de Heineken Cup.

Hewat a assuré la transformation et les outsiders faisaient leur retour. La cause des London Irish a été cautionnée par une pénalité manquée d’Elissalde à 30m et les Exilés ont pu également profité d’un sort favorable à la 30e minute lorsque le capitaine toulousain, Fabien Pelous, a effectué une passe en avant avec quatre de ses coéquipiers à ses côtés prêts à franchir la ligne qui s’offrait à eux.

Cette action a cependant servi de déclic aux Toulousains et le centre Yannick Jauzion a montré l’exemple en servant le ballon qui a par la suite terminé dans les mains de son coéquipier centre Manu Ahotaeiloa qui a aplati le ballon dans le coin droit du terrain.

Toulouse a ainsi pu revenir dans la course à deux points d’écart des London Irish et cinq minutes plus tard ils prenaient l’avantage. Un superbe alignement en touche récupéré par Yannick Nyanga à 10 mètres de la ligne des London Irish a fourni la base parfaite pour une poussée collective et le talonneur William Servat a ponctué l’action en marquant un essai à son tour.

La transformation d’Elissalde a permis à Toulouse de prendre la tête à la pause avec une marge de cinq points, mais cet avantage a été réduit en deuxième période.

La touche récupérée par Kennedy sur la ligne des 10m toulousaine a été envoyée au large sur la gauche du terrain et une succession de trois passes longues ont permis à Sailosi Tagicakibau de montrer son talent de coureur. Il a échappé à Heymans, écarté Médard et a couru sur 30 mètres le long de la ligne de touche pour aller inscrire un essai qui a rétabli le score.

Toulouse a réagit avec deux autres pénalités réalisées par Elissalde en l’espace de trois minutes histoire de reprendre la tête avant qu’Ojo n’explose à nouveau dans le jeu à la 60e minute avec une autre pénétration du mur défensif toulousain qui aurait pu finir sur un deuxième essai de Tagicakibau.

Il aura fallu un plaquage magnifique assuré par Byron Kelleher pour empêcher les ailiers gauches de London Irish de marquer un autre essai et l’équipe de la ligue anglaise a également vu la tentative de pénalité d’Hewat anéantie à 48 mètres ce qui aurait pu réduire l’écart.

Alors que le chrono défilait, Shane Geraghty a tenté une belle action depuis la moitié du terrain jusqu’à la ligne des 22m toulousaine. Le ballon a été transmis trois fois et il aura fallu toute la force et le courage des Toulousains pour maintenir leur ligne défensive infranchissable.

Au final, les London Irish ont été pénalisés pour avoir conservé le ballon au plaquage et les Français ont pu dégager le ballon en touche pour conclure sur une victoire.
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London Irish V Toulouse
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1

1


Peter Hewat
15
Cédric Heymans






Man of the Match



1

Topsy Ojo
14
Maxime Medard












Peter Richards
13
Manu Ahotaeiloa

1



Replacement off






Seilala Mapusua
12
Yannick Jauzion










1

Sailosi Tagicakibau
11
Yves Donguy












Shane Geraghty
10
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde


1

3







Paul Hodgson
9
Byron Kelleher






Replacement off





Dan Murphy
1
Daan Human












David Paice
2
William Servat

1



Replacement off






Faan Rautenbach
3
Salvatore Perugini





Replacement off






Nick Kennedy
4
Fabien Pelous (capt)





Replacement off






Bob Casey (capt)
5
Patricio Albacete












Declan Danaher
6
Jean Bouilhou





Replacement off






Steffon Armitage
7
Yannick Nyanga





Replacement off
Replacement off





Phil Murphy
8
Shaun Sowerby






Remplacement
Replacement on





Tonga Leaaetoa
16
Alberto Vernet Basualdo





Replacement on






Stuart Mackie
17
Omar Hasan





Replacement on






James Hudson
18
Romain Millo-Chluski





Replacement on






Richard Thorpe
19
Thierry Dusautoir





Replacement on
Replacement on





Juan Leguizamon
20
Maxime Mermoz












Nils Mordt
21
Grégory Lamboley





Replacement on






Eoghan Hickey
22
Finau Maka






Essais de pénalité

Première mi-temps
1London IrishOn London Irish's biggest day, they will have to do without the instrumental Mike Catt, who misses out through injury, meaning fly-half Shane Geraghty will be handed the mantle of creator in chief.
1London IrishPeter Richards also continues in the unfamiliar role of outside centre as Irish go for their first ever Heineken Cup Final.
1ToulouseToulouse too have injury problems as they prepare for their eighth Heineken Cup semi-final and will take the field without the prolific Vincent Clerc and key back rower Thierry Dusatoir.
1ToulouseThe Kelleher-Elissalde half back combination is retained after their superb showing in the quarter final demolition of Cardiff Blues.
1ToulouseSowerby puts a foot in touch after taking the Irish kick-off but Paice over throws. Luckily for Irish Nyanga knocks-on and Irish get an early scrum.
1London IrishIrish attack right and free fullback Hewat, he chips ahead into the in-goal area and Ojo is only just denied an opening minute score by great defensive work from Yves Donguy. Frantic start.
1ToulouseAllan Lewis blows up for full time and Irish's dream is over. Toulouse march on to their fifth final as their squad breath a collective sigh of relief.
3ToulouseToulouse make their way down field from drop out but a Kelleher box kick is gathered by Hewat, who dinks a marvellous touch finder up the right touchline.
6ToulousePlay has made its way back and forth for a couple of minutes and is beginning to open up already. The perfect conditions suggest this game could have a lot of points if it continues at this pace.
9ToulouseToulouse are enjoying some good possession now and Elissalde is varying his kicking game nicely. A cross field chip is gathered by Ojo but Kennedy comes round offside and Toulouse win the penalty.
11Toulouse
Penalty kick - J Elissalde
Clean stike from te left 15m line for the diminutive fly-half.
14London IrishIrish kick-off back into Toulouse territory and after Kennedy leapt highest to win an ensuing lineout Irish attack right into midfield. The Toulouse forwards cannot resist putting their hands in and are penalised.
15London Irish
Penalty kick - P Hewat
Hewat makes no mistake with his first kick at goal to level the scores.
16ToulouseToulouse try to open up early after retrieving their kick off but a loose pass from, the up till now off-colour, Jauzion gives Irish the scrum.
18London IrishIrish's set-piece continues to go well as they win a penalty from the scrum and Hewat kicks his side up to the Toulouse 22.
20London Irish
Essais - T Ojo
Irish pummel the Toulouse defensive line numerous times without any joy until Ojo leaves Elissalde standing and then cuts inside Heymans to romp away for a classic opening score.
21London Irish
Conversion - P Hewat
22ToulouseToulouse win their own kick-off and Elissalde frees Bouilhou who gets to within 5 meters of the line. Irish somehow manage to turn the ball over though and clear up field.
23ToulouseFrom the lineout, Irish spoil their good work as Danaher is penalised for a high tackle. Elissalde fluffs his shot at goal horribly though and Irish survive.
23ToulouseMissed penalty: Elissalde
26London IrishThe sides exchange possession freely with a series of loose kicks but Irish continue to look the more purposeful with ball in hand. They are off-loading at will and Toulouse look shaky after the first-quarter.
28ToulouseAnother sign of Toulouse's unease as Perugini spills and straightforward pass to concede possession on the Irish 22. Hewat once again uses the set piece possession to punt his side up-field.
30ToulouseDon't speak to soon. Heymans takes the lineout quickly and the men in red expertly attack on the left. Pelous is put clean through but as the try looked a certainty the veteran lock throws a wild forward pass.
31London IrishAgain Hewat clears beautifully. His line kicking is becoming a feature of this first half, just as it was in his man-of-the match showing in the quarter-final clash with Perpignan
32ToulouseToulouse are beginning to expand their game with ball in hand through and a beautiful line from Jauzion puts them behind the defence. Medard continues the move but Richards scrambles back to avert the danger.
33Toulouse
Essais - M Ahotaeiloa
Toulouse strike back. From the ensuing play Kelleher sends it right to Elissalde who in throws a long pass to Medard who also draws his man to free Ahotaeiloa who squeezes in at the corner.
34ToulouseMissed conversion: Elissalde
35ToulouseIrish uncharacteristically lose their own throw and Toulouse have suddenly slipped into gear. Play once again goes right before Hewat gets a hand in to break the move down
37ToulouseThe French are looking dangerous and Irish will be keen to survive the next five minutes and utilise the solace of half time.
39Toulouse
Essais - W Servat
They fail! Toulouse have scored their second. Nyanga took the lineout ball 10 metres from the line and the forwards rumbled towards the whitewash. Eventually Servat takes the ball and piles over.
40Toulouse
Conversion - J Elissalde
40London IrishAs they can. Toulouse have turned altered the momentum of this game with a 10 minute onslaught. Having looked completely out of sorts, their quick-fire pair of tire will have really knocked the wind out of Irish.
40ToulouseBrian Smith's men are far from out of it, but will have re-group mentally after seeing all of their early effort go to waste. Toulouse, if the come out in the same vein, could take it this away from Irish very quickly.
Deuxième mi-temps
41London Irish
Substitution - T Leaaetoa on for D Murphy
41London IrishBoth sides make their intentions clear within a minute of the restart, each taking quick lineouts and going wide. Elissalde puts down an interception chance and Geraghty kicks out on the full form the scrum.
44London Irish
Essais - S Tagicakibau
Irish take the lineout on halfway and go wide from first phase. The way looks blocked for Tagicakibau on the left touchline but he expertly skips around Heymans and then Medard to streak away for the score.
45London IrishHewat is way off with the conversion but this game is back on.
45London IrishMissed converison: Hewat
48Toulouse
Penalty kick - J Elissalde
From a Toulouse scrum on Irish's 10 metre line, Toulouse attack and Irish infringe from the ruck Elissalde slots over the penalty to regain the lead.
49Toulouse
Penalty kick - J Elissalde
Seconds later, Ojo runs down a blind alley and gets done for holding on. Elissalde steps up and converts his second penalty in as many minutes to Brian Smith fuming at his team's indiscpline.
54ToulouseAfter a wayward kick from Geraghty, Toulouse counter and Pelous once agsin finds himself in acres of space but for the second time in the match he runs away from support and botches the chance.
55London Irish
Substitution - J Leguizamon on for P Murphy
57London IrishIrish win some respite with another lengthy Hewat clearance and they win a lineout on halfway as Heymans return kick lacks any bite.
58London IrishThe all action Peter Richards smashes his way forward from the lineout but is halted by an aggressive hit from Donguy.
60London IrishAs the game moves into the final quarter Irish look as though they will have to dig deep to win this one as they go into unchartered territory.
60Toulouse
Blood sub - T Dusautoir on for Y Nyanga
62London IrishOjo nearly does it, the flying winger breaks the defensive line and nearly makes it himself, as he is caught he offloads to Tagicakibau but he is halted too by frantic defence.
64London IrishIf Irish are to pull this out of the bag, you feel they need to use this momentum and do it now and a penalty on halfway for Toulouse offside will help. Hewat's effort falls just short though.
66London IrishMissed penalty: Hewat
68Toulouse
Substitution - R Millo-Chluski on for F Pelous
68Toulouse
Substitution - O Hasan on for S Perugini
69London IrishIrish will not give up the ghost lightly and continue to run from every opportunity. The Toulouse defensive line is holding firm though, and their big match nous is starting to show through.
72Toulouse
Blood sub - Y Nyanga on for T Dusautoir
72Toulouse
Substitution - T Dusautoir on for M Ahotaeiloa
73London IrishMagnificent break from Geraghty and he surges 60 metres down field. He is hauled down but Irish continue to throw the kitchen sink at Toulouse. Agonisingly though, Allan Lewis penalises against them.
73Toulouse
Substitution - G Lamboley on for J Bouilhou
75ToulouseToulouse again slow proceedings down with a series of pick and go's which is frustrating Irish who cannot get hold of possession.
76Toulouse
Substitution - A Vernet Basualdo on for W Servat
79London IrishDesperate last throw of the dice now from Irish with forwards and backs alike foraging forward and off loading at will. Good attacking scrum comes to nothing as Toulouse spoil to great effect.
80 +1London IrishIrish win a penalty but cannot kick to the corner with no time for the lineout. Mapusua goes quickly and Tagicakibau carries on but ball goes loose and the chance goes begging.
Résultats précédents
London Irish
DateTourAdversaireScore
26/4/08Semi FinalsToulouseL 15-21
5/4/08Quarter FinalsPerpignanW 20-9
19/1/08Poule 1Benetton TrevisoW 24-11
12/1/08Poule 1Newport Gwent DragonsW 41-24
15/12/07Poule 1PerpignanL 6-23
9/12/07Poule 1PerpignanW 24-16
17/11/07Poule 1Newport Gwent DragonsW 45-17
10/11/07Poule 1Benetton TrevisoW 42-9
Toulouse
DateTourAdversaireScore
24/5/08FinalMunsterL 13-16
26/4/08Semi FinalsLondon IrishW 21-15
6/4/08Quarter FinalsCardiff BluesW 41-17
19/1/08Poule 6EdimbourgW 34-10
12/1/08Poule 6LeinsterL 13-20
16/12/07Poule 6Leicester TigersW 22-11
8/12/07Poule 6Leicester TigersL 9-14
18/11/07Poule 6LeinsterW 33-6
10/11/07Poule 6EdimbourgW 19-15
Précédents duels en H Cup
DateTourDomicileScoreExtérieur
Sam 26 Avr 08Semi FinalsLondon Irish15 - 21Toulouse
Sam 13 Jan 07Poule 5London Irish24 - 26Toulouse
Dim 29 Oct 06Poule 5Toulouse37 - 17London Irish
Dim 19 Jan 03Poule 5London Irish32 - 29Toulouse
Sam 12 Oct 02Poule 5Toulouse28 - 23London Irish
Historique en H Cup
London Irish
2007/08 - Semi Finals
2006/07 - Poule 5
2002/03 - Poule 5
Toulouse
2008/09 - Quarter Finals
2007/08 - Finalistes
2006/07 - Poule 5
2005/06 - Quarter Finals
2004/05 - Champions
2003/04 - Finalistes
2002/03 - Champions
2001/02 - Poule 6
2000/01 - Poule 3
1999/00 - Semi Finals
1998/99 - Quarter Finals
1997/98 - Semi Finals
1996/97 - Semi Finals
1995/96 - Champions
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