Some would argue that this is indeed the most important game our club has ever played. I am not one of those. For me the 2002 Powergen Cup victory has a greater significance. It was the first time that we proved to the world and to ourselves that we could win at the top level. That we were more than just plucky losers. 

The subsequent season, 2002/3, was the first time we qualified for the Heineken Cup. It was also the first time we met Toulouse. The first ever LI tour there in October 2002, a game we narrowly lost 28 – 23,  was notable in many ways. It was the first time we the supporters had traveled with numbers in the hundreds rather than the tens. We were very impressed by the Toulouse set up, not least their magnificent store in the town center.

It was their supporters who most struck so many of us. Their friendliness, their sense of fun and ability to party impressed us so much that they were voted MOTM. In the six year history of this site that is the only time such an accolade has been given to opposition supporters. As an aside, it was from seeing the Toulouse support that we were inspired to start the drums, now a regular feature at LI home games.

By the time we played our return match the following January we were already out of the competition and facing a relegation battle, one that was subsequently to go down to the very last day of the season. Despite this we won, albeit narrowly, 32 – 29. That year Toulouse went on to win the Heineken cup. Their defeat by us was the only game they lost in the entire tournament. Again, to illustrate the bonds that had by then been formed between the two sets of supporters, I can still picture from the TV coverage of the final the sight of JoeV, green wig et all, banging away on the Toulouse drums.

It was four years later, last season, before we were to meet again. We were drawn in a real group of death with Toulouse, Ulster and Llanelli. The final score, 37 – 17 to the home side does not tell the true story of an open, running game where we were still in with a shout with ten minutes to go.  Again, by the time we played the return fixture we were out of the competition. We lost narrowly 24 – 26 but this time the score, if anything, flattered us. The match was notable for a hat trick of tries by Delon Armitage. How he will be missed this time around.

If the record of previous contests between our two teams is anything to go by Saturday´s match looks set to be a cracker. It goes without saying that these is a lot at stake but this shouldn´t detract from the fact that both teams are committed to open running rugby.

As can be expected at the tail end of the season both teams are struggling with injuries. Toulouse suffered three injuries in their tough match against Clermont last weekend. Vincent Clerc, our nemesis in the very first game, suffered a serious knee injury and will be out for some time. Perhaps our biggest concern is Catty, so often our play maker. Word is that he is touch and go for the game.

The bookies are showing Toulouse as favourites for this game, although not overwhelmingly so. In some ways the outcome will depend on which LI team turns up at Twickenham. If it is the one that so comprehensively did the job on Perpignan in the quarter final we will no doubt be heading to Cardiff. If it is the apparently rudderless one we have seen so many times, particularly early on, this season we could be in for a thrashing.

Win or lose I´m going to enjoy the day as I hope do all London Irish and Toulouse supporters.

C´mon IIIIRRRRIIIISSSSHHHH!!!!

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