Final of the Top 14. These four men who brought a real plus to the UBB this season…

After a turbulent last season, the arrival of Yannick Bru at the head of the staff brought serenity to UBB. “The feeling I have is that he is the manager I was hoping for and waiting for, and who suits me best,” declared president Laurent Marti some time ago. After three semi-finals, the new “boss” had the responsibility to do at least as well as his predecessors, especially with a reinforced squad. He did even better since he allowed the Girondin club to secure its first qualification for a Top 14 final. A hard worker, with an eye for detail, banking on the responsibility of his group, the Gers coach surrounded himself well with Noël McNamara, the Irish coach in charge of the back lines, who restored fluidity to UBB’s movement game, and Thibault Giroud, the performance director. The players immediately bought into the project.

The aggression of Adam Coleman

An impressive size (2.07 m, 122 kg), solid experience with two World Cups under the colours of Australia (2019) and Tonga (2023)… Adam Coleman (32 years old) is doing the UBB pack a world of good this season. Sometimes slowed down by injuries, he is an undisputed starter when operational (14 Top 14 matches, 13 starts). Responsible for “the dirty work”, the control tower of the second row presses where it hurts and brings that toughness that the Girondin pack lacked in previous seasons. His speciality: well-pressed pads to mark the opponent. “I love tackling. I don’t score tries, okay, but on a big tackle, I take just as much pleasure,” he assures. The Australian giant also puts his science at the service of the alignment and brings a lot of serenity to his teammates thanks to his experience. In an interview with “Sud Ouest”, he confided that he was playing for something bigger than himself, thinking of his brother who has cancer. An additional strength.

The brute force of Tevita Tatafu

At the end of last season, UBB mourned the return of Tom Willis to England. But his replacement in the center of the third line quickly made him forget. Indeed, Japanese international Tevita Tatafu (28), who missed the last World Cup due to an injury, quickly established himself in the Top 14. He also brought a little more depth to the Girondin pack. He destroys everything in his path, his charges constantly push his team forward and often prepare the ground for the rear lines. And he grabs precious balls in the rucks. Throughout the season, the Japanese of Tongan origin stood out for his consistency in his very frontal style. With his mover’s appearance, he is the indisputable number one in his position (22 Top 14 matches this season for 19 starts). “Afterwards, my role is rather simple: the guys pass me the ball, and I run,” he laughs, rather modestly.

The effectiveness of Damian Penaud