Thomas Siniecki, Media365: published on Friday June 28, 2024 at 2:32 p.m.
The first two clashes between Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles, particularly the second, set the tone.
October 29, 29-23 for Toulouse (fourth day)
At Ernest-Wallon, Stade Toulousain and UBB were deprived of their international stars because of the World Cup, the grand final of which was on the eve of this Top 14 clash. Paul Graou and Billy Searle make up the local hinge, supported by Arthur Retière, Sofiane Guitoune or Paul Costes on the three-quarter line, when Paul Abadie, Mateo Garcia, Pablo Uberti or Romain Buros face them.
The latter are on the verge of securing a big result, still leading 19-11 with almost ten minutes to go. But Baptiste Germain then Ange Capuozzo, in just two minutes (74th and 75th), will end up forcing the Union lock. Of all the players mentioned, only Buros, shifted to the back, will be starting on Friday evening in the final at the Orange Vélodrome.
March 24, 31-28 for UBB (19th day)
In Chaban-Delmas, the Aquitains will have their revenge almost five months later, and in circumstances closer to the reality of the moment, even if the typical team is mainly aligned with the UBB with Damian Penaud captain, Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert associated in the hinge or Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere aligned in the center (i.e. the same as for the final).
In Toulouse, Antoine Dupont only came on as a substitute and Romain Ntamack had not yet returned, which put Graou back in the scrum and brought Thomas Ramos up to fly-half. The match was of exceptional quality, and after four tries for Bordeaux-Bègles in the first half, Toulouse responded three times in the second (including two for Matthis Lebel) and took a four-point lead with a quarter of an hour to go, before a final converted try by Bochaton for UBB (31-28, 71st).
