Hunslet RLFC 6-68 Toulouse Olympique
Hunslet’s 2025 Season ended in defeat at the South Leeds Stadium yesterday (13 September 2025) to a Toulouse side finishing second in the Championship and gunning for Super League.
The Parksiders were depleted down to their last 17 fit men, and had to bring Michael Knowles out of retirement to field an 18 man squad against a fulltime French outfit.
It was always going to be one way traffic, but credit to Hunslet who hung in against the best side to visit South Leeds this season, who would have scored many of their tries against much better opposition.
Although Toulouse have some size about them the half-backs of Thomas Lacans and Jake Shorrocks were on form, and on the 7th minute a superb ball sent Anthony Marion over. 0-6
Penalties conceded didn’t help and Marion and Lacans added tries to make it 0-18 after only 18 minutes.
A break down the middle saw Marion complete his hat trick on only 21 minutes and 3 minutes later Stefani scored after Hunslet had fumbled a kick. 0-30
With Hunslet attacking Michael Knowles tried to squeeze through a kick, but it bounced up to Brendan Hands who went the full length to score. 0-36
Although Michael Knowles, Zach McSwiney and Jack Rampton all went to close for Hunslet, Toulouse showed their class with quick hands to the right sending Romeo Tropis in the corner. Jake Shorrocks missing his first of 7 conversions. 0-40 at the break.
Hunslet started the second half well and after Billy Jowitt forced a drop-out Jack Rampton went close. Hunslet were now getting decisions and Billy Jowitt was looking dangerous, but they couldn’t crack the French defence.
After Jimmy Watson put in an excellent try saving tackle Thomas Lacans showed good feet to find his way to the line. 0-46 on 57 minutes.
This broke Hunslet’s resolve, and Wallace and Ashall-Bott added quick tries before a superb Paul Ulberg break ended in another Ashall-Bott try making it 0-62 on 69 minutes.
Hunslet didn’t give up though and Billy Jowitt combined with Ethan Wood to break through, then quick hands to the left enabled Jack Rampton to touch down. Jowitt converting 6-62
Trevor Chiffolleau added another on the hooter for Toulouse with Jake Shorrocks hitting 10 conversions from 12 attempts.
It’s been a tough season for Hunslet coming up to the Championship, but the change in League structure means no relegation, which Hunslet were aware of. Meaning the squad can be strengthened next season whilst players this season have had some Championship experience.
Head Coach Kyle Trout gets to work straight away for what’s going to be an interesting 2026.
Lee Gaskell received the Tricks of the Trade Sponsors Player of the Match, whilst Michael Knowles received the Phoenix Bar Supporters Player of the Match.
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Turner, Watson, Nichol, Rampton, Gaskell, Knowles, Hallas, Fletcher, O’Hanlon, Wood, Gilmore, Larroyer. Interchanges: McSwiney, Carr, Welham, Balback. 18th player: Darley.
Toulouse Olympique: Ashall-Bott, Tropis, Marcon, Rennie, Ulberg, Lacans, Shorrock, Roumanos, Hands, Butler, Stefani, Wallace, Marion. Interchanges: Rodriguez, Cator, Gillam, Chiffolleau. 18th player: Dall’asta.
Photo: Michael Knowles comes out of retirement to take on the Toulouse defence (Craig Irvine)
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