Stade Toulousain edged Exeter Chiefs 43-40 in a thirteen-try shootout on 18 October, and their back row did far more than Exeter’s over the match, with Théo Ntamack the standout.
Zack Wimbush scored inside the first minute and went on to a hat-trick, and Exeter led 26-24 at half-time. Toulouse were down to 14 men from the 15th minute after Rodrigue Neti’s red card. A penalty try, tries from Ange Capuozzo, Teddy Thomas and Joshua Brennan, and a Matias Remue double kept them in front. Henry Slade missed a penalty from the right on the final whistle that would have levelled the scores.
Toulouse’s back row wins the numbers battle
Ntamack was the main reason Toulouse’s back row came out on top. In 59 minutes before he was replaced, the No. 8 made 14 carries for 62 metres, crossed the gain line 11 times and won 11 rucks. He also made 11 tackles without a miss and won a turnover.
Efrain Elias played 80 minutes and did the grafting. He made 16 tackles without missing one, won 8 rucks and 5 mauls, and landed a dominant tackle. His 10 carries made only 3 metres, though, so he did the dirty work rather than the damage.
François Cros made 17 tackles, missing one, before going off on 72 minutes. Toulouse played a man down from the 15th minute, which makes the trio’s combined tackle count of 44, against Exeter’s 40, all the more impressive.
Exeter’s back row more mixed
Greg Fisilau was Exeter’s best. Over a full 80 minutes he made 12 carries for 17 metres, with six gain-line carries and 11 rucks won. He did give away two turnovers and made two handling errors.
Ross Vintcent set up Will Butt’s try on 47 minutes and was part of the maul that produced Jack Yeandle’s try. He made only 10 tackles in his 59 minutes.
Ethan Roots made 16 tackles and won a turnover, but he barely featured with the ball, making 2 carries for no metres.
The combined picture
Across the three players on each side, Toulouse made 69 carrying metres to Exeter’s 22 and won 23 rucks to 18. Exeter’s back row had the single most visible moment in Vintcent’s try assist, but Toulouse’s trio did far more over the match.