Dusautoir to exorcise Final demons
Thu, 20 May 2010 14:41
On the charge: Toulouse captain Thierry Dusautoir
Toulouse captain Thierry Dusautoir is aiming to complete a memorable season with a Heineken Cup win over former side Biarritz, and in doing so exorcise the demons of two European Final defeats.
Toulouse are aiming to secure their fourth European crown – a feat that no other side could match for at least another two seasons – and if they do, it will give Dusautoir an historic season double after having led France to the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier in the year.
Guy Noves' star-studded side already lead the way when it comes to Heineken Cup titles, having claimed a hat-trick of successes in 1996, 2003 and 2005.
Like Biarritz, Toulouse have lost once in the European Final, slipping to a 16-13 defeat to Munster at the Millenium Stadium in 2008, but have never lost the showpiece against French opposition.
This record is one which the 28 year-old aims to keep intact.
"Stade Toulousain has never
lost in the final of the Heineken Cup to a French side, which is good for the superstitious, but this is a European final and that is enough for motivation," he told L’Equipe.
Interestingly Dusautoir was not only part of Toulouse's only failure in the biggest club match in European rugby in 2008, but also tasted defeat in the colours of Biarritz, coming on as a 52nd minute replacement in a Heineken final loss to Munster in 2006.
Those bitter memories will add further motivation for a man renowned as one of the fiercest defenders around and while he admits that the European Cup is a 'missing trophy' in his cabinet, he insists that just being involved in a European final is motivation enough.
"The appetite is there," he said.
"Several of us have joined Toulouse to win this trophy and it is the only way to validate the success we have had this season."
Last weekend's Top 14 semifinal defeat to Perpignan has placed
even further importance on the clash, and Dusautoir admits that it is vital that Toulouse avoid a second trophy-less season in succession.
"If we do not win the title this season will have been a failure,
"The objective of the squad is to win something this year, and we still have the chance to achieve that." he said.
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