Richie Murphy: That wasn't a good enough performance for the Ulster jersey

Murphy’s men were obliterated at Stade Ernest-Wallon with Antoine Dupont pulling the strings for Toulouse and producing a masterclass despite the wet conditions as the hosts overpowered Ulster in every department.

The reigning European champions had already racked up their bonus point try on 27 minutes when winger Ange Capuozzo crossed for what would be the first of two tries, lock Emmanuel Meafou also ultimately claiming a brace of tries in the rout.

“It’s very disappointing, conceding 60 points makes it very difficult,” said a frustrated Murphy.

“A lot of our basics weren’t good enough and in weather like this and against a team like Toulouse you have to be very good, and it wasn’t just anywhere near where it needs to be.

“So, we’ve a lot of work to do between now and next week and try to get ourselves right for Bordeaux coming.

“It would have been great to come away with a bonus point,” the Ulster coach added after replacement Iain Henderson scored a third try for the visitors in the 68th minute to offer the hope - though it wasn’t achieved - of a potential try bonus.

“But we were a long way second place and we’re going to have to have a really good look at ourselves and try to come up with some solutions because that’s not a good enough performance for the Ulster jersey.

“If you don’t do the basis in rugby, you get punished especially when you come to a place like this. So, very disappointed and we’ll take a hard look at ourselves and try and get it right for next week."

Just a minute had gone when Toulouse scored through Matthis Lebel as Toulouse swept up field, Antoine Dupont involved in the move which ultimately saw the winger make the corner.

Six minutes later Toulouse had try number two, coming from a driving maul when Dupont provided the assist for Romain Ntamack to break two tacklers. This time Ramos converted, and Toulouse led 12-0.

But Ulster struck back when they took a tap from an 11th minute penalty, James McCormick adjudged to have made the line.

Nathan Doak converted, and Ulster were back in the game though their respite was brief as the champions used their physicality and Meafou surged through from close range. Ramos again converted to make 19-7.

Romain Ntamack then had a score ruled out for being offside and Ulster survived conceding the bonus point on 20 minutes. But seven minutes later they had it when Capuozzo was put away by Lebel off a scrum.

Ramos put the ball between the sticks for 26-7.

It was Dupont's turn next as he tore down the left wing, fed Lebel and then took the recycle to score. Again, Ramos did the needful to now make it 33-7 with not even half an hour gone.

Ulster battled back again, Aidan Morgan picking out Stewart Moore who scored under the sticks with Doak converting.

But with the clock in red, Toulouse twisted the knife once more, Meafou scoring his second as the TMO overturned Adam Leal’s initial decision that it was no try.

Ramos hit the two from the tee and the sides trooped off in the rain with Toulouse 40-14 in front.

It took 10 minutes for Toulouse to get going again, turning Ulster over at a lineout and then moving the ball wide with Lebel giving Santiago Chocobares the chance to score try number seven. Ramos made it six conversions from seven.

Dupont then provided an exquisite cross-kick for Capuozzo to claim his second in the corner and Toulouse’s eighth of the day. Ramos, yet again, converted as the scoreboard hit 54 points for the home team.

Iain Henderson found a way to burrow through for Ulster to bring their first points since the 36th minute, the conversion coming from Doak.

But the game ended with Toulouse awarded a penalty try and Harry Sheridan yellow carded.

Scorers for Toulouse

Tries: Meafou (2), Capuozzo (2), Lebel, R Ntamack, Dupont, Chocobares (pen try).

Cons: Ramos (7).

Scorers for Ulster

Tries: McCormick, Moore, Henderson.

Cons: Doak (3).

TOULOUSE: T Ramos; A Capuozzo, P-L Barassi, S Chocobares, M Lebel; R Ntamack, A Dupont (capt); D Ainu’u, P Mauvaka, D Aldegheri; T Flament, E Meafou; J Willis, L Banos, A Roumat.

Replacements: J Marchand for Mauvaka (44), R Neti for Ainu’u (48), J Merkler for Aldegheri (48), J Brennan for Meafou (59), T Ntamack for Willis (59), P Graou for Dupont (59), P Costes for Chocobares (57), J C Mallia for R Ntamack (61).

ULSTER: S Moore; W Kok, B Carson, S McCloskey, M Lowry; A Morgan, N Doak; A Warwick, J McCormick, S Wilson; A O’Connor (capt), H Sheridan; Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, J McNabney.

Replacements: J Postlethwaite for Carson (21), R Herring for McCormick (ht), T O’Toole for Wilson (ht), C Izuchukwu for Matty Rea (52), N Timoney for McNabney (52). E O’Sullivan for Warwick (58), I Henderson for O’Connor (58), D Shanahan for Morgan (59).

Referee: A Leal (England).