Peato Mauvaka was everywhere during Stade Toulouse’s big victory on the Harlequins pitch, also marked by the major performances of Pierre-Louis Barassi and Dimitri Delibes. On the other hand, Joe Marler and Marcus Smith did not assume their statuses face to face. Here is the match barometer.
The tops
Peato Mauvaka
Clearly, he is in line with his incredible World Cup. And the return of “international” matches suits him well. This Sunday, Peato Mauvaka once again showed impressive activity. Often called upon, he constantly found progress in the English defense. And he once again proved decisive with an intervention and a magnificent pass, after a combination on the sidelines, for Matthis Lebel’s try. Note that he also scored a try himself.
Pierre-Louis Barassi
He is the man at the start of the Champions Cup at Stade Toulouse. Already very visible during the big success against Cardiff (his best match since he arrived at Ernest-Wallon in the summer of 2022), he maintained a high level at Harlequins. Indeed, he made another perfect copy, being particularly impeccable on the defensive level. And he even had a little offensive festival with a double to boot. He is clearly gaining momentum.
Dimitri Delibes
He was back in the Toulouse starting XV. And, in an extremely competitive position, Dimitri Delibes scored valuable points. Author of a try in the first half, proving that he remains an outstanding finisher, the player – who left for an internship with France 7 at the start of the season – offered another on a plate to Peato Mauvaka. Overall, he was also very incisive in each of his interventions and was reassuring.
Dimitri Delibes impressed for his first appearance of the season.
Irné Herbst
In a gloomy day for Harlequins, it’s a great story for the English side. Called upon to prematurely replace Dino Lamb, released due to an impressive knockout, Irné Herbst showed that he was ready to assume his role. Present in the fight in general, he also established himself as the best finisher for his team during this second day. In fact, he scored two tries, each time with power approaching the lines.
The flops
Joe Marler
You can count 88 caps for the England team, be a Harlequins icon and come through in one of the most important matches of the season… This is what happened to Joe Marler against Toulouse. Obviously starting at kick-off, he clearly missed his first half. Dominated in closed scrums, he also struggled in the running game, to the point of giving up his place at the break. And the English scrum was much better afterwards.
Marcus Smith
The other Harlequins star player also missed his match this Sunday. On fire during the major victory at Racing 92 a week earlier, Marcus Smith experienced a nightmarish first half. He started his score with a missed penalty, which should have offered his team a golden opportunity. He also sent a ball directly into a dead ball and even saw a conversion, although largely within his ropes, flee the posts while his team was still alive. In short, he did not weigh on this meeting at all.