Elissalde and "Toulouse hanging on"

Magic moment: Elissalde celebrates qualifying for his fourth Heineken Cup Final

After playing a pivotal role in his side's 21-15 win over London Irish in their Heineken Cup Semi-final on Saturday, France and Toulouse half-back Jean-Baptiste Elissalde gave his thoughts on a particularly difficult week, qualification for his fourth European Cup Final and the Indian summer of Fabien Pelous.

"I'm not in the habit of using superlatives. But this time, with a remodelled team, six forwards on the replacements bench, Nyanga playing on the wing against an excellent London Irish team, we managed to dig deep and hold on defensively," Elissalde told rugbyrama.

Toulouse's preparations for their semi-final were hampered by various factors in the preceding week and Elissalde believes that the solidarity shown between the players off the field was reflected by their performance on it.

"We strung together and didn't give up in the last 20 minutes. After all the difficult moments of the past week, yes, it was a successful match," said the scrum-half turned fly-half.

"It fills me with immense joy. Often there are more important things in life than than rugby. We saw that this week with Thierry [Dusautoir, whose father's funeral was attended my many Toulouse players] and in another way Vincent [Clerc's knee injury].

"That kind of thing builds strong bonds between us in the changing rooms. Today [Saturday], we didn't want to let go. Perhaps a few months or a few years ago we wouldn't have won. This time we pulled it off. I'm very proud of my team-mates, really very proud.

"We've secured the club's fifth European final. It's extraordinary. I still can't believe it, maybe because I know where we've come form. It's a huge accomplishment. It's marvellous."

"We suffered with our friends. But what is a knee injury compared with the lose of a parent? Nothing at all. But Vincent suffered, and we were with him. Thierry suffered, and we were there too. And they gave back, Vincent by his encouraging messages, Thierry by his presence here and coming on.

"These are important exchanges in the life of our group. I don't know if they exist elsewhere, but they do in Toulouse. Out of respect for everyone, we weren't too emotional in the build up. We won for them, for us, but above all for those who came here [ to Twickenham] to support us."

The French club knew that they would be up against one of the best line-outs in Europe, and prepared specifically for that challenge.

"We managed to steal a few of their balls, so did they. I think in competing for the ball we did more than just match them," he added.

"In fact, one should stop always looking for better elsewhere. Toulouse have a good line-out, and can do even better in the scrums. Toulouse can also do better in controlling games. That's perhaps what will help us win the final and go play another in the French Championship.

"But our legs are really starting to get tired. I don't know how, or with how many players we're going to finish the season, but I hope there won't be any other serious injuries.

Toulouse are still favourably placed to score a European - French Championship double, and Elissalde believes it is an exploit within their capabilities, assuming they can stem the tide of injuries to key players.

"Unfortunately or fortunately, we're looking good on both fronts," he said.

"I reckon our lead in the Top 14 will allow us to hold out for a few weeks (Toulouse are eight points clear of Perpignan in the last semi-final qualifying spot).

"But unfortunately we can't line-up our best team all over. We, as players, would be happy to play everywhere, but the priority is preparing for the final in a month's time against the team playing the best rugby in Europe.

"I said six months ago that having two or three injuries would be the hardest. That's what has happened. We're going to make Finau Maka run at centre and Yannick Nyanga on the wing if we have to and we're going to continue holding on.

Elissalde is himself on Toulouse's injury list, but would not have missed Saturday's semi-final for the world.

"I think I've pinched the meniscus on my right knee, " he explained.

"It's not very pleasant. At certain times it hurt. But with the victory, it's healing much better. I would have wanted to play this semi-final even if I was in a lot more pain.

"Luckily the final isn't in eight days, I wouldn't have been able to do that twice in a row. We're going to enjoy two days' rest."

Fabien Pelous has jokingly said he's envisaging converting to fly-half or centre considering the number of injuries at the club, a sign that it isn't all doom and gloom in la Ville Rose.

"Fabien...Fabien has produced one of his best seasons in a long time for us. I was telling him earlier that he was having an Indian summer. That said we can regret that he forgot his team-mates and made two bad choices after his two line-breaks, but those are reflexes that locks haven't refined like centres," said Elissalde, tongue in cheek.

"But it's a pleasure to see him back at that level. I would love to be playing at that level in three or four years."

Elissalde didn't play at scrum-half on Saturday but is still 'close' to his pack.

"They're doing great, my fatties," he joked.

"I miss them when I have to make 42 tackles in a match (laughs).

"Seriously, what they did against the best line-out in the competition is a sign of their intelligence. It's proof that they're on the right track and that one could talk about Stade Toulousain as much for its pack as its backs."