It must be hailed as one of rugby's greatest upsets. Connacht defeated Toulouse in their own back yard to become Heineken Cup giant-killers.
Against all the odds, including a difference of some €30 million in budget, the Cinderella of Irish rugby, bottom of the Rabo Pro12 League, pulled off a shock victory. For the first time this season the four-times Heineken Cup champions, second in the Top 14, succumbed in Stade Ernest Wallon.
In front of 200 hardy Connacht supporters, the visitors clung on to a slender lead, having been denied a second try which would have put the game beyond doubt.
That final five minutes epitomised all that was good about Connacht – their belief, their heart, confidence in their systems, and magnificent defence.
Toulouse, with four minutes left on the clock, started to push forward. It started just inside their own half , yet it finished a few just metres inside Connacht's – such was the ferocity of the visitors' defence.
Started with a flourish
Toulouse had started with a flourish. Three penalties were conceded and each time, Toulouse spurned kicks at goal.
Somehow Connacht survived, putting into practice their defensive systems Lam had tweaked during the week, and it was the visitors who took the lead after 12 minutes despite seeing precious little ball in possession.
Toulouse were pinged for offside at the breakdown. The penalty was from half-way but former Scottish international Dan Parks nailed the penalty to give his side a huge lift and a 3-0 lead. Three minutes later fullback Robbie Henshaw initiated one of his trademark counterattacks from defence and, in Connacht's first period of sustained attack on the left, Parks grabbed the chance to convert a drop goal from inside the 22.
A superb tackle from Matt Healy on home fullback Clement Poitrenaud was followed up by an immense turnover from John Muldoon before the pack swamped the Sprinbok Chiliboy Ratepelle, forcing the turnover metres from their line.
The tackles continued to be made, epitomised by a flying Dave McSharry effort as the visitors’ relentless harrying and chasing started to force errors .
Critically, however, for a second week in succession Connacht conceded the lead just as half-time approached when Toulouse grabbed their first points of the half through outhalf Jean-Pascal Barraque.
Counter-attacked
Hosea Gear counter-attacked from inside his half, before the big boys took over. The bulky Census Johnson sucked in the defence, before Barraque took charge, sidestepped Craig Clarke, and at pace, cut inside Henshaw to touch down and add the extras for a 7-6 lead.
Connacht returned after the break and regained the initiative. Once again the backs run a great supporting attack up the touchline, instigated by the influential Kieron Marmion, and net result was a third Parks’ penalty after four minutes.
And the lively young scrumhalf was again in the thick of the action, his delayed pass giving McSharry, Fionn Carr and Henshaw space to make huge yards up the right. Although halted just short, the cavalry arrived in the form of Jake Heenan and Eoin McKeon, with the TMO awarding Marmion's try. Parks added the extras for a 16 - 7 lead after 48 minutes.
As Toulouse attempted to rally, Connacht pressure continued resulting in a knock-on on which the visitors capitalised and so nearly broke the Toulouse defence for a second time.
Parks grabbed a loose ball, sent replacement Gavin Duffy down the touchline, and when Marmion supplied Henshaw he was clean through. This time the TMO ruled a Connacht knock-on . And when Toulouse captain Thierry Dusautoir led a rolling maul across the line, with replacement Timici Matanavou converting the gap was reduced to two.
Once again it looked like Connacht could be heading for an agonising near victory as Parks missed a drop goal effort and a 76th minute penalty from half way on 76 minutes. but they held firm.
