After the final dominated by the Rouge et Noir, the poster for Sunday evening promises sparks.
Friday June 28, 2024, date of the show of force. In the Top 14 final, Stade Toulousain humiliated Union Bordeaux-Bègles (59-3) that day, which was playing its first final of the modern era, and won on 23e title of champion of France in its history. Total domination. Three months later, the two teams meet again on Sunday (9:05 p.m.) for the 4th day of the championship. An expected reunion, even if, on both sides, we try to put its significance into perspective.
“We did not identify this match as being different from the others, assures Ugo Mola, the manager of the Rouge et Noir. Whatever happens, it will always be interesting to analyze, but we have so many things to put in place, we are far from being at a sufficiently accomplished level to hope to talk about our rugby. False modesty? Toulouse, the only undefeated team this season, did not miss its return to school, picking up a third success in as many outings last weekend in Montpellier (11-20). Without forcing his talent. But there is no question of talking about a remake of the last final, if we are to believe Clément Poitrenaud, the Toulouse back coach: “Honestly, we don’t really have it in mind anymore. We moved on to something else.”
“We are capable of competing”
For the Bordeaux-Bègles Union, on the other hand, this reunion will awaken old demons. However, we quickly had to get rid of this trauma and look forward to the future. “Last season is in the past, we learned lessons from it, points to improve”insists international center Nicolas Depoortère. UBB hit the ground running, the most offensive team in the Top 14 with 124 points scored in front of… Toulouse, (98 points) and two cards – both at Chaban-Delmas – against Stade Français Paris (46-26) and at Racing 92 (52-34).
The Galactics, it’s especially those who win the matches that count
Clement Poitrenaud
Asked about the three-quarter line of the UBB described as Galactics, Clément Poitrenaud released, at a press conference, a little barb to raise the mood: “We have been undefeated for some time at home, we host the Bordelais. Everyone has been talking about this match in the media for three weeks. Between the Galactics, the revenge, the thing, the thing… Obviously, that makes the match special.” You are from Cingler: “For me, the Galactics are mainly those who win the matches that count. Afterwards, you do what you want with it.”
For the Girondins, this shock of the 4th day should allow – they hope – to move on, to start again on the same offensive bases as last year. “As a group and with a little ego, we just want to show that this final was not us. No matter the result next Sunday, we just want to show a positive image and our true value. We are going there to fight for 80 minutes,” hammered opener Matthieu Jalibert.
Clément Poitrenaud, who as a player suffered a terrible defeat in the final against Biarritz (40-13) in 2006, remains wary: “I took 40 points in the final, I didn’t take refuge behind the theory of an accident. We were caught everywhere and that day, the Biarrots were better. And that’s it. They are sure that they will want to show the extent of their talent. They have been doing it since the start of the season. So it will be up to us to cope.”
