Sparkling on Sunday during the victory at Exeter, Toulouse Pierre-Louis Barassi seems fulfilled in his game and is going through a prosperous period currently. And, if his personal journey has not always been as linear as it should have been in recent years, the three-quarter center has also been reaping the fruits of his choices since last summer.
“When he’s like that, he becomes almost irresistible.” These are the words Sunday evening from Antoine Dupont, who is so used to hearing the same ones about himself… This time, he was talking about his teammate Pierre-Louis Barassi, author of a capital performance during the great success at Exeter (64-21)enhanced with a double and a man of the match title.
“We know his qualities as a shadow player, a hardworking player, who works for the team, who does a lot of offensive and defensive rucks, who covers a lot of kilometers, covers groundadded Dupont. But when he has opportunities, space and is in full possession of his means, he is a high quality player. Good for us.” Barassi, three-quarter complete center par excellence, so precious in a collective balance. Until then, nothing new, as the boy's talent has been known to everyone since he revealed himself to the general public during the world title with the French under-20s in 2018, alongside Romain Ntamack, Matthis Lebel, Cameron Woki, Demba Bamba, Louis Carbonel or Arthur Vincent. Behind, Barassi continued his rise with Lyon until being called up in the middle of the 2019 World Cup with the French XV to compensate for Wesley Fofana's withdrawal. He was 21 years old.
Toulouse, a thoughtful choice
How can we explain, given his immense potential and what he has shown in recent weeks, that he only has three caps with the Blues today? It's an anomaly, already because the boy has always been part of the plans of Fabien Galthié and his staff, and he has regularly been in the extended groups. But, if the former Lyonnais has not worn the tricolor jersey since July 2021 (during the tour in Australia), it is due to two main elements: enormous competition at his position (successively Fickou, Vakatawa, Vincent , Danty, Moefana, Depoortere, Gailleton, etc.) and injuries, often at the wrong time, namely before or during a gathering. Which also sometimes slowed down his success in Toulouse.
While he was extremely consistent with Lou, where Pierre Mignoni had one of his star players, Barassi had caught the eye of Ugo Mola for a long time. After a first approach in 2021 (he then had one year left on his contract), the player finally joined Ernest-Wallon during the summer of 2022. “It’s more of a logical continuation in my progressionhe confided to us at the time. The decision had really been brewing in my head for a long time. When it came time to sign, I didn't hesitate much. I needed to change. Coming to play at Stade Toulouse suited me to develop my game and bring certain additional qualities, which I perhaps could not have elsewhere. I want to broaden my rugby palette.” While he had offers from several clubs, including some very offensive ones, the person concerned made a considered choice, like a man described as intelligent and structured by those around him. Very empathetic too.
Titles and frustration
Humanly, Barassi quickly gained unanimous support in the Toulouse locker room. But he obviously had to go through a period of adaptation in terms of the game. He knew it when he arrived: “I am aware that the rugby played here is very offensive. […] A lot of things change for me, including races or the importance of certain positions in the overall game. […] My goal is to understand everything that structures the game project, to master each movement with ease.” Held back by a few physical glitches, he nevertheless went through a frustrating first season, despite the Brennus Shield raised in June 2023 and a good entry into the Top 14 final.That was great but, personally, it wasn't crazy.”he said a few months later. Lucid and transparent by nature, Barassi took an honest and even harsh look at the beginning of his adventure: “Last year, I really had my worst season since I became a professional rugby player. It's never easy to change your life, to change clubs. Some adapt faster than others.” This speech was given in February 2024, and he then gave a series of XXL performances, notably breaking the screen in the Champions Cup on the Harlequins lawn. A prosperous period.
In short, behind the cliché of injuries on his case, Barassi still played twenty-one matches during the historic 2023-2024 financial year, including fifteen as a starter. Above all, it has very often been to his advantage. But, while he was starting in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup, he was hit in the ribs, once again at the worst moment. Nothing very serious, but the hellish train led by the Stadistes had passed as far as the final phases were concerned. And, in addition to the emergence of Paul Costes, Santiago Chocobares was preferred in the home stretch. Question of emulation, also of reassuring profile or guarantees of the past for the Puma. While discussions for an extension had begun with the player, the latter had decided to postpone them until later, as confirmed by several sources at the club. The idea? Focus on rugby only. Aware of his rise in power at Ernest-Wallon but inevitably frustrated despite an exceptional double, the player did not want to pollute his mind with his contractual situation, he who is engaged until June 2025, and wanted to prioritize his role on the ground.
Mola: “he whips, he doesn’t give up”
Given Barassi's latest releases, the choice clearly paid off. He worked, questioned himself and, if the stadium staff were looking for him to provide certainty, it was done. Particularly in a first center position, in which Ugo Mola wanted to develop him since his arrival in Toulouse to promote his versatility (he even played on the wing too). This season, he who was once considered an almost exclusive second center, has already started three times with the number 12 on his back. “The two roles are different but I feel comfortable in bothhe revealed one day. This is something I did very little in Lyon, if at all. Playing 12 can be scary when you've often played 13 but I think it's actually very beneficial.” Because he is convincing and broadens his palette, which is what he was looking for when he joined Stade Toulouse… But it was while wearing number 13 that he was dazzling against Ulster, then at Exeter. The reward for his self-sacrifice already, underlined by Mola: “In this match, he was remarkable and he allowed us, on two or three difficult balls, to really get back into the lead and make us score the first points. Pierre-Louis had some struggles, he had difficulty putting together performances worthy of the name with us despite a few moments where he had obviously been at his level. We are happy because, sincerely, he is tough, he doesn't give up.”
Beyond that, what is extremely reassuring for the manager and his assistants is that the pair of centers were sparkling, in the absence of Pita Ahki. And this has rarely happened in recent years, as the New Zealander acts as captain and regulator of the three-quarter line. A guarantee for the future. Barassi's obsession? It is precisely to remain in the continuity of his current form, as he appears fulfilled in his game. “Maybe with a little more simplicity in his daily life, he will be able to do cool things on the field”launched Mola. And Dupont added: “I hope for him that his dynamic will last as long as possible.” This would be obvious, before looking at the other outcome, the contractual one. If he is necessarily on the shelves of several Top 14 teams, nothing has been decided to date regarding his future. And, truth be told, you might as well enjoy a shiny present.
