European Cup record

Toulouse lifted their fifth European Cup when they beat Stade Rochelais in last season’s final. They had previously won the trophy in 1996, the tournament’s inaugural season, 2003, 2005 and 2010, beating Cardiff Blues 21-18 (after extra time), USAP 22-17, Stade Français Paris 18-12 (also after extra time) and Biarritz Olympique 21-19 in the respective finals.

Last season

The TOP 14 club were unbeaten, following up their 29-22 victory at Ulster Rugby in the pool stage with a 40-33 success at Munster Rugby in the last 16, a 21-12 triumph at ASM Clermont Auvergne in the quarter-finals, a 21-9 win at home to Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the semi-finals and a 22-17 victory against La Rochelle in the final at Twickenham Stadium.

Head coach

Ugo Mola was appointed head coach in the summer of 2015, returning to the club where he starred as a player from 1990 to 1996, picking up a European Cup winners’ medal in his final year there. The 48-year former wing was also capped 12 times for France, before embarking on a coaching career that took in Castres Olympique, CA Brive and Albi before his return to Stade Toulousain.

Key players

Toulouse’s squad is packed full of stars in the pack and backs, none more so than 2021 EPCR European Player of the Year Antoine Dupont. The France scrum-half forms a devastating half-back partnership at club and international level with Romain Ntamack, while full-back Thomas Ramos and wing Maxime Medard are also lethal runners. Leading names in the forwards are France hooker Julien Marchand and prop Cyril Baille, Australia lock Rory Arnold and Samoa lock Joe Tekori.

Pool fixtures

Toulouse begin the defence of their title with a trip to Cardiff Rugby on December 11 and then host Wasps on December 19. Round 3 sees the return fixture with the Gallagher Premiership club at the Coventry Building Society Arena on January 15 and the French club close their pool schedule with a home game against Cardiff a week later.

Stade Toulousain will be looking to add to their record number of European titles when they defend the Heineken Champions Cup this season.