MAXIME MEDARD DID to Connacht on Saturday what he has done to Ireland on numerous occasions in the past six years — tear them asunder.
The French winger was the main Toulouse weapon to punish a Connacht team that committed up to 13 men across defensive and attacking lines. The tactic worked well in France but Guy Noves’ side had done their homework. Fionn Carr’s wing was targeted Medard’s pace was exploited to the maximum. The 27-year-old scored two tries from his left wing and was denied a hat-trick by a desperate Eoin Griffin lunge in the closing stages.
“We had fun on the pitch,” declared Medard, “we did our thing.” The versatile back featured in the 16-14 reversal at Stade Ernest Wallon last Sunday and insisted yesterday’s 37-9 win did little to wash away the regret.
“It’s always harder to win away matches,” he added. “In the championship [Top 14] we’re finding it difficult to win away from home. It feels good to be able to do it in the Heineken Cup. It was a good evening, but last week’s loss still weighs on my mind.
Even if we win against Saracens, the Italians [Zebre] are next. If we get past the English, we wouldn’t want to lose in Italy. It feels good to get the bonus point away [in Connacht].”
Medard lamented his team’s inconsistency and likened it to the malaise that often befalls his country in Test matches, a problem Irish rugby fans will identify with. He said:
It’s the same as the French team. As soon as we have to step up our game, because of a previous defeat, we can do it. It’s a pity we lost [last week] and it’s very rare that Toulouse lose three matches in a row. The fans were really important in backing us up. This victory tonight does not erase last week’s defeat, but it does help us get back on track.”
Securing turnovers was key in Toulouse’s win at the Sportsground and Medard paid credit to the French pack for providing ample amounts of go-forward ball,
We were able to switch between kicking and playing the ball through the hands, at the right time. It led to two good tries. It feels good to win because everyone worked together and it was a collective win. It was the same in defence and attack,” he added.
