OFFICIAL LEINSTER SUPPORTERS CLUB Guide to Toulouse Stade Toulousain v Leinster Le Stadium Muncipal May 1, 2010
Introduction Toulouse will be familiar with many Leinster supporters with visits to the city in 2006 for ʻthatʼ Heineken Cup quarterfinal and 2007 for a pool game on a very cold Sunday evening. Franceʼs fourth largest city with a population of just over a million, Toulouse sits at the foot of the Pyrenees. The cityʼs geographical location has greatly shaped its history, which spans over 2,000 years, as it has swung back and forth between prosperity and ruin. Its strategic location between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean made Toulouse attractive to the Romans, who colonised it around 100 BC. An important trade centre, Toulouse became a target over the centuries for invaders such as the Vandals, Visigoths and Franks. Nevertheless, while often in turmoil, the city continued to prosper. Today the city has its own university (with 97,000 students), as well as a large aviation industry as it is home to both Airbus and Galileo. Stade Toulousain normally play their home games at Stade Ernest-Wallon, which can be seen on the way to the city from the airport, however the semi-final match will be hosted in the bigger Stadium Municipal. Getting there Toulouse Airport (Toulouse Blagnac) is located to the north west of the city, travelling time to the city centre is approximately 20 minutes. On exiting the arrival hall you can get a taxi (it will cost approximately 25 one way) or take the yellow and blue Flybus service (ticket can be purchased next to the stop and are 5pp each way). If flying to another French airport, including nearby Carcasonne, you can hire a rental car. It can be worth investigating if there are any special deals through the airline you are flying with and donʼt forget the Leinster car flags! Another option is to use the very efficient train service. To avail of specials you can book before you arrive and collect the tickets at a machine in the train station. Visit www.tgv-europe.com Please note if you are arriving in France on May 1, public transport and the Flybus service will not be operating. Taxis will be the most reliable option.
Shopping The main shopping strip is located on Rue de Rome. Stade Toulousain also has its own shop, which is well worth a visit, located at 73 Alsace Loraine, 31000 Toulouse. Eating At this time of year do as the locals do and relax with a bite to eat and a glass of ʻvinʼ at any of the many daytime cafes. Place di Capitole is the main square where there is no shortage of spots. Be careful as many are priced for tourists, instead head to nearby Place St Georges or Place St Pierre where food and drinks are lot cheaper. We can recommend Victor Hugoʼs ( 15 Friday/ 18 Saturday and Sunday), the entrance is below a multi-story carpark and is marked ʻRestaurantʼ with a small arrow. Be warned it doesnʼt look much from the outside but is well worth a visit! Supporters HQ The OLSC has teamed up with the Frog & Rosbif and the Melting Pot to establish two bases for supporters visiting Toulouse this weekend. These act as a central meeting point whether you are in a group or travelling alone. If you head in the direction of one of these either pre or post match you will be sure to be in good company with other members of the blue army. The Frog & Rosbif, Rue de lʼindustrie, 31000 Toulouse: This popular pub produces its own range of beers, in fact present your match ticket at any stage over the weekend to claim you free pint! Lunch and dinner
will also be served across the weekend; the bar is open from 11.30am until late. www.frogpubs.com The Melting Pot, 26 Boulevard de Strasbourg, 31000 Toulouse: Another firm favourite with the Blue Army on previous visits, this pub is located near to the central square. Over the weekend Leinster supporters can avail of one free drink in every ten purchased by obtaining stamps at the bar - this can be shared among groups. There is also the Trevor Brennan owned De Danu, located at 9 rue du Pont Guilhernery, it serves food all day however there are no specials available to supporters for the weekend. Stadium - Stade Municipal Built in 1937 and now home to the Toulouse FC, this 37,000 capacity stadium is located at 1, Allée Gabriel-Biènes, 31400 Toulouse. Walking from the city centre will take you approximately 45 minutes. Some supporters are planning to walk enmasse to the Stadium from Place du Capitole on Saturday afternoon, if you wish to take part we recommend being in this area by 1pm. We have been informed that no public transport will be in operation on May 1 (May Day Public Holiday) so walking or taking a taxi are the options available. Clear walking instructions can be found on Google Maps. Enter the set off point as Place du Capitole and final destination as Allée Gabriel Biènes. Regardless of how you intend getting to the ground make sure that you are there early, gates open at 2.45pm, two hours before kickoff and there will be plenty of food and bar facilities available. The home support will be in the ground early making noise, we need to do the same!
Flags The flags that are distributed at the RDS have been cleared with the Dublin Airport Authority so should be acceptable to take as carry on luggage. There will be a strictly limited number of flags distributed by the OLSC committee and volunteers in Toulouse so please bring your own if you can. Other things to do in Toulouse Supporters who are spending a bit of extra time in Toulouse may wish to consider a cruise along the Garonne river and canel www.toulouse-croisieres.com www.bateaux-toulousains.com www.loccitania.fr (restaurant-boat) Your hotel should also have information on nearby events and attractions. The Toulouse Tourist Office website is available in English at: www.uk.toulouse-tourisme.com Keep in contact with the OLSC Did you know that the OLSC is now on Facebook and Twitter? Join us now to be kept up to date with the latest OLSC news and merchandise information. Facebook: Official Leinster Supporters Club Twitter: OLSCRugby
Message from the coach Dear Leinster Supporter, On behalf of the squad and management I would like to thank you for the incredible backing you have given the team once more in Europe this season. We have enjoyed some memorable games in Europe so far this year and we are looking forward to facing the mighty Toulouse who are one of the truly great European clubs who have a second to none record in the Heineken Cup. By winning in Brive and Llanelli and earning a draw in London Irish you once again displayed the sportsmanship, camaraderie and sense of loyalty that is synonymous with your incredible support of the team. We have great respect for Toulouse who have, once again this year, shown their strength and ability in this competition. We will approach this game in a positive fashion, as we have done all of our games both in the RDS and away from home, and I know that you can be our 16th man in the stands once more on Saturday. All of the players will do their utmost to represent the blue jersey with pride once more. Travel safely and enjoy the game. Michael Cheika Leinster Coach
Message from the OLSC committee It doesnʼt come much tougher than this. An away semi-final against threetime champions Toulouse who destroyed their quarter-final opponents, but if anyone can come away with a victory Leinster can as we proved in 2006. The team has shown a steely resolve in recent times that has got them this far and we have to believe that the hunger for more success will spur them on again. As always, the supporters must play their part in this encounter. The Toulousain support is formidable so we will have to be at the very top of our game. Leinster will have the support of a 3,000-strong Blue Army, many of whom have travelled by all routes possible to take their seats in the Stadium Municipal, and every single one of us will have to work hard as we will be outnumbered ten to one by the home fans. With this in mind the OLSC is calling on supporters to be in the ground at least an hour before kick off, in time to be in your seats for the warm up. The ground opens at 2.45pm and food and drinks will be available. Wear your bluest jerseys and hats, bring your flags and bodhráns and be prepared to give it socks for a solid 80 minutes. We saw the effect this had in the Stoop in an away tie last year. We must embody that spirit and know, that like the players, we left nothing behind. Hopefully we will see you in one of the Supporter HQs after the game. CʼMON LEINSTER! OLSC committee Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Financial Regulator