Ulster look to do the double on defending champs, Toulouse

After pulling off a great victory at Stade Toulousain last week, Ulster will take the field at Kingspan Stadium with soaring confidence as they eye the Champions Cup trophy. 

The Northern Irishmen managed to cross the try line four times against the reigning champions while only slipping two past their own defences. 

Talking to the BBC, Springbok and Ulster number 8 Duane Vermeulen showed excitement regarding his team’s form as well as the prospect of playing in front of their home fans. 

 “Obviously I haven’t had the opportunity to be a part of a squad that has lifted this trophy,” he said. “We are in touching distance but not there yet. 

“This weekend is another big game for us and hopefully we can turn up and get our double on Toulouse. 

“I know they are a big squad and they have done it in the past – they are defending champions and it is going to be a difficult task for us – but we are happy to be playing at home and in front of our fans. 

“I’m looking forward to it and obviously the Kingspan atmosphere with the people here, it is amazing to see how the people turn up in their numbers to support this team. 

“It has been great out there and hopefully we get a nice packed stadium this weekend.” 

SEE: How the Champions Cup quarter-finals work and how things stand ahead of the second leg 

The man of the match last weekend was, unsurprisingly, awarded to Ulster right winger Robert Baloucoune, on whom Vermeulen heaped praise. 

“He’s got pace to burn, it is amazing,” he said. “He has got a fantastic work-rate, he’s a tall fella and is really good under the high balls. 

“If you look at him and compare him to a lot of international wingers who have played the game over a couple of years, he is definitely up there and hopefully one for the near future. 

“I hope he gets his opportunity to play more consistent international rugby, but he is definitely a guy to look out for.” 

Key Facts: 

• Ulster have won their last five games in the Heineken Champions Cup, only once since lifting the trophy in 1999 have they enjoyed a longer winning run in the competition (W6 in 2013/14); however, their five victories have all come by fewer than seven points. 
• Ulster have won four of their last five home matches against TOP 14 opposition in the Heineken Champions Cup (L1), however, their solitary loss during that run came against Toulouse (22-29 December 2020). 
• Toulouse have lost their last two games in the Heineken Champions Cup, the first time they have lost consecutive games in the competition since a run of five defeats between December 2015 and October 2016. 
• Toulouse have won each of their last three away games against Irish opposition in the Heineken Champions Cup, including their 29-22 win in Ulster in December 2020, after winning only three of their previous 13 trips (L10) 
• Toulouse boast a 96% lineout success rate in the Heineken Champions Cup (47/49), the best rate of any team; they are also one of just five teams yet to lose a scrum on their own feed (11/11). 
• Robert Baloucoune (Ulster) carried for 207 metres against Toulouse in the 1st leg, the most by any player in the Heineken Champions Cup last weekend, scoring three tries. He’s averaged 11.8m per carry in the competition in 2021/22, the best rate of the 54 players to make 30+carries, just ahead of teammate Mike Lowry. 
• Ulster’s Michael Lowry has made nine line breaks in the Heineken Champions Cup this season, the most of any player, and has made over 100 carry metres more than any other player (666). He is also the only player to have beaten 20+ defenders this season (26). 
• Rory Arnold (Toulouse) recorded 12 line out takes last weekend, a joint-high for any player in a Heineken Champions Cup game this season, including four lineout steals. This is the only time a player has stolen more than two opposition throws in a game this season. 
• Thomas Ramos (Toulouse) made seven successful offloads against Ulster last weekend. This is the only time a player has made more than five offloads in a Heineken Champions Cup game; he has made ten offloads overall this season, the most of any back.