Toulouse (H) : Wed Apr 10, 2024 8:21 am  

On to the next tough fixture. What a start 3 wins would be from Wakey, Fax, Fev, Toulouse.

Expect a backlash from this after Toulouse were humbled at home by Swinton. However this ain't the Toulouse of old. Think they managed to finish second last year due to their home form. Truly believe that if we hadn't have had that one too many injuries to Segeyaro, Scurr going into that game, we'd have won.

A loss to Sheffield, comfortable win against York (although they're currently bottom) and losing to Swinton is very scratchy form so I'm expecting the best version of Toulouse Saturday.

If we can get a win though, boy does that lay down a marker.

Re: Toulouse (H) : Wed Apr 10, 2024 9:03 am  

Toulouse will want to rectify their loss from last week but we also need to remember that we will be going in confident after beating Halifax and overturning Featherstone away for the first time in almost a decade. Home advantage will hopefully see us through the game. I seem to remember Toulouse self-imploded and collapsed in the rain at Odsal last year. Something similar this weekend would be tremendous.

If we can grab a win and be 3 wins from 4 games having played 4 of the toughest teams in the opening few rounds I will be extremely happy.

[Bullseye]

Re: Toulouse (H) : Wed Apr 10, 2024 11:16 am  

Are they still all full professionals?

Re: Toulouse (H) : Wed Apr 10, 2024 5:56 pm  

I think this is the most optimistic I have ever been about getting a win against Toulouse.
I worry about Souter. I think he is a great player who plays very close to the edge. He has had a couple of sins and a ban.
I don't want him to alter his attitude in game but I think he has got to rein it in a bit and not argue decisions that go against him. I fear it could cost us dearley one day.
Having said that I think he is a fantastic find.

[Bullseye]

Re: Toulouse (H) : Wed Apr 10, 2024 7:22 pm  

The best hookers play on the edge a bit. Lowes, Newton etc. So long as he doesn't overstep the mark. Finding a balance comes with experience. He's got a great mentor in Noble.

Re: Toulouse (H) : Wed Apr 10, 2024 9:04 pm  

Looking forward to this game. I expect Toulouse to improve on the Swinton performance and this one will be a tight affair. I didn’t expect a win last week but I was hopeful we might pick up wins at home, so if we go 3 from 4 I will be over the moon.

Realistically if we are aiming to be the next best after Wakefield, we need to be taking points on home turf. Narrow Bulls victory is my hope!

Re: Toulouse (H) : Thu Apr 11, 2024 7:41 am  

All depends on the toss. Whomever is defending the corporate stand end in the second half loses I'd say.

[Bullseye]

Re: Toulouse (H) : Thu Apr 11, 2024 10:11 am  

The state of the pitch (size and firmness - oo-er) means we need to win the battle down the middle. We did versus Fax - not sure what the Toulouse pack looks like?

Re: Toulouse (H) : Thu Apr 11, 2024 10:46 am  

We did vs Fev as well, for the majority of the time. I think we’ll do similar vs Toulouse. It’s impressive what Lilley & Davies can do behind a pack with an edge over the opposition

Re: Toulouse (H) : Thu Apr 11, 2024 11:17 am  

I think Akauala and Hansen will be missing on Sunday. I think they are banned. This should help us as they are 2 of their best forwards.