Legacy Leaders Magazine


The reigning French champions against the runaway Premiership leaders. It may be that the day’s second Anglo-French semi-final is the true ‘Le Crunch’, club edition., external

It certainly comes with two contrasting styles.

“Toulouse have players who have scored straight from nothing. The likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Antoine Dupont attack instinctively, reading the space so well,” explains Worsley.

“Defensively that is nigh on impossible to prepare for.

“Exeter are a very different team, very structured. You know what is going to happen. You just have to try to somehow stop it.”

For all the backline flair, Worsley believes the battle will be won up front as Exeter impose their close-quarters game on a jumbo-sized Toulouse pack that includes 20-stone prop Charlie Faumuina and 6ft 10in second row Rory Arnold.

At 37, New Zealander Jerome Kaino may have lost some of his power and pace that made him a key part of two World Cup winning sides, but he now makes his biggest impact culturally rather than physically.

“Kaino has come in and done a bit of what Jonny Wilkinson did for Toulon – giving them a level of professionalism and leadership that they didn’t have before,” said Worsley.

“He is an intelligent guy who has lived in incredible rugby environments and has lifted up the whole team.”

Like Racing, Toulouse have achieved a better balance between playing sensible and chancing the sensational in recent seasons.

The development of fly-half Romain Ntamack, the 21-year-old son of Toulouse legend Emile, has helped.

“He is a real talent,” said Worsley. “Initially I thought he made too many mistakes and his kicking wasn’t good enough, but he has been getting a lot better.



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