Above the rest in all sectors, Stade Toulousain crushed Union Bordeaux-Bègles in Marseille to win the 23rd Brennus shield in its history. A crushing 59-3 victory for the Red and Black, who also achieved the Champions Cup – Top 14 double. UBB has never been able to compete.
In the boiling Orange Vélodrome in Marseille, literally and figuratively, this unprecedented final between the two teams from the South-West promised in many ways. Toulouse with its experience and its ability to take on this type of meeting, facing Bordeaux-Bègles without anything experienced at this time of the season, able to benefit from a certain euphoria to win the bet. The scenario was quickly opened, Dupont taking advantage of a major advance in the axis in order to credit his team after a quality incursion (7-0, 6th). While Tatafu received a yellow card for a high tackle, the Unionists couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. If Lucu reduced the gap immediately following a well-made launch (7-3, 10th), it remained too insufficient at this moment to compete against the Toulouse residents.
Better in offensive production, more conquering in static and mobile phases up front, the Girondins regularly suffered the assaults of Ugo Mola’s men. Ramos would add three additional points first for an offside by Cazeaux (10-3, 14th), before the Haut-Garonnais decided to accelerate more frantically. Mauvaka, well helped by Mallía in his corridor, would be propelled into the promised land after a remarkable confiscation action near the 22 meters of the UBB (15-3, 20th). Dupont then played with an entire waiting defense, with a brilliant overhead, and a clever recovery to go and score the double and score between the posts (22-3, 24th). The scoreboard could have been a little heavier as Mauvaka stole a touchline mistake from Bordelo-Bèglais, without managing to score in the final seconds of a one-sided first half.
Toulouse, then the others
What can we say about the rest? A collective demonstration imbued with strength and total collective in its making. The Toulousains first did the job through Ramos on foot (25-3, 44th). Then the recital got going, Ramos (62nd), Marchand (68th), Kinghorn (70th), again Ramos (74th), Ainuu (79th) and Capuozzo on an incredible 100-meter recovery will come to correct a UBB floored in all compartments. The Toulouse offensive palette was exacerbated, breaking a record of points and by far in a championship final. Capuozzo’s last being surely the most beautiful expression of a total rugby, cheerful and flying over the debates in an immense way on these debates. Almost surreal and yet.
The Rouge et Noir remain as competitive as ever during major events after such a unique and insane performance. Historical know-how, a certain habituation to success which has not been different for decades. The victory against Bordeaux-Bègles is just another illustration of a tenacious hegemony over French rugby. With this 23rd Brennus shield brought back to Haute-Garonne, not only does Stade Toulouse sign another double after the European coronation, but it further displays its supremacy on the French oval.
The Bordeaux-Bègles Union did not exist in this final, as the gap was too significant. His journey which took him to the final deserves great respect, synonymous with certain growth for the future since the union was ratified in 2006. For its first final in its history in Top 14, the Girondins will have been able to see all the tricks to master to become master of the championship and obtain real recognition at this level. Nevertheless, the disappointment is legitimate as the Grail seemed accessible, but it is perhaps only a learning process to come back even stronger at this level of the competition.
