Stade Toulouse will obviously have to do without the services of Cyril Baille in the Top 14 final, Friday evening against Union Bordeaux-Bègles, and surely of Matthis Lebel, who blocked his back in the semi-final. Rodrigue Neti has a good chance of starting on the front line when the main unknown remains the composition of the bench.
While the Toulouse residents headed to Marseille this Wednesday afternoon, there was inevitably someone notable absent on the bus. It is Cyril Baille, seriously injured in the ankle during the Top 14 semi-final won last Friday against La Rochelle. Operated over the weekend, the international left pillar is obviously out for the final this Friday evening, against Union Bordeaux-Bègles at the Vélodrome stadium. Therefore, there are two possibilities to replace him: Rodrigue Neti, who was his substitute during the final phase of the Champions Cup then against the Maritimes, or David Ainu’u, whose versatility and quality in the game are precious for the staff. In all likelihood, he should opt for the first named in the starting XV, whose particular asset is his experience (29 years old; 2 caps).
Above all, the American international would move from right to left on the bench, which will result in the presence of Joel Merkler on the scoresheet. The other uncertainty, after the semi-final, concerned the state of health of winger Matthis Lebel, author of a try but who blocked his back after entering at the end of the match. The player had already felt pain during the previous week. He took exams over the weekend, which proved reassuring, or in recent days. But, if he got off to a good start with his teammates, there is little doubt that manager Ugo Mola will play the card of caution regarding him. He is therefore heading towards a package.
Lacroix: “We will be forced to do without Meafou”
Furthermore, while Emmanuel Meafou was the victim of a major tear in his hamstrings in the Champions Cup final against Leinster, its president Didier Lacroix also noted the withdrawal of the second international row on the set of the show “ViàMidol Des Mauls and Debates”: “The match comes too early for him. We will be forced to do without “Manny” Meafou.” As the reigning French champion will of course have to do without the services of all black pillar Nepo Laulala (Achilles tendon) or flanker Anthony Jelonch (knee), both injured for a long time.
While we should not expect, apart from Rodrigue Neti replacing Cyril Baille, many changes in the Toulouse line-up (which will be made official on Thursday at 6 p.m.), the main unknown is surely the substitutes’ bench. Will it be made up of five forwards and three three-quarters, like in the semi-final or the Champions Cup final? Could Lebel’s absence change the situation? Indeed, the Stade management also has the opportunity to place six forwards among its substitutes, which would open the door to Mathis Castro-Ferreira or Théo Ntamack. In which case Paul Costes, Pierre-Louis Barassi or Dimitri Delibes (all three capable of playing in the centre or on the wing) could accompany Paul Graou on the bench. On the other hand, if Mola decides to keep the same number of three-quarters as last week, that could suit Ange Capuozzo, who had an excellent end to the season.
