Bold takeaway: Toulouse’s performance against the Sharks was an emphatic statement of their depth and quality, capped by a bench-led masterclass that showcased how a team can sustain intensity from start to finish. And this is the part people often overlook: the impact of the squad beyond the starting XV can define a result just as much as the XI on the field.
Toulouse player ratings vs. the Sharks
15 Blair Kinghorn: Consistently looked for positive sequence ball-in-hand and showed initiative, even if the breakout opportunities didn’t fully materialize. Effort never flagged. 6
14 Ange Capuozzo: Extraordinary throughout, thriving on space, creating opportunities, and finishing with a hat-trick that felt well deserved. A standout display. 9
13 Teddy Thomas: Had a few bright moments with ball in hand and added a late score right at the end. 6
12 Kalvin Gourgues: Earned a golden chance with Chocobares out and seized it. Brought real menace in midfield, coupled with relentless defensive work, finishing with 11 tackles. 7
11 Dimitri Delibes: Durable performance; limited attacking chances but solid in defense and held his own in contact. 6
10 Thomas Ramos: Found his rhythm as the game progressed, especially after Dupont’s introduction. Helped drive attacking phases and delivered reliable goal-kicking. 7
9 Paul Graou: With Dupont back, competition for the scrum-half role is tangible. Graou offered high tempo, smart distribution, and effective carries throughout. 7
Back-row
8 Alexandre Roumat: Stood up in the tight exchanges and set the tone for a dominant display with continuous work-rate. 6
7 Anthony Jelonch: Echoed Roumat’s sustained effort at the breakdown and in the engine room, contributing strong carries and defense. 6
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6 Leo Banos: A tireless contributor in the back row, finishing as joint second in tackles with ten. 6
Tight five
5 Emmanuel Meafou: Bursting with power, he acted as the primary battering ram in tight phases, punching holes in the Sharks’ defense and showcasing slick ball-handling to link with the backs. 7
4 Thibaud Flament: The workhorse of the pack, reliable around the park, crucial in the lineout, and relentless at the breakdown. 7
3 Joel Merkler: Steady in the scrum and dependable in the loose. 6
2 Julien Marchand: A veteran display from the captain, dominating set-piece play and establishing a launching pad for Toulouse’s attack, complemented by two tries. 8
1 Rodrigue Neti: Solid shift with strong scrummaging and active involvement around the field. 6
Replacements: Mola rotated the bench at a moment of high tension, and the introduces brought calm and a fresh thrust to close out the game. Dupont’s return stole the late headlines, but players like Josh Brennan, Guillaume Cramont, Paul Costes, Dorian Aldegheri, and David Ainuu made crucial contributions as soon as they took the field. One standout moment was Cramont’s superb assist to release Capuozzo for a try, followed by Castro-Ferreira crossing later. This group deserves major credit for steering the match to a commanding finish. 8
READ MORE: Eight-try Toulouse send John Plumtree packing in his final match in charge of struggling Sharks (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/eight-try-toulouse-send-john-plumtree-packing-in-his-final-match-in-charge-of-struggling-sharks)
