Top 14 – Thibaud Flament (Toulouse) happy to play at the Vélodrome against Toulon: “It’s the most beautiful stadium in France”

Did you return to training with a feeling of accomplishment after qualifying for the Champions Cup semi-finals?

Of course. We’ve done the work the last two weeks so it’s cool. The work is done, now it quickly switches to the Top 14, because there are big matches also coming up in the championship.

What did the staff tell you about this quarter-final and these more than sixty points scored against Exeter?

To tell the truth, we didn’t really look back on the quarter-final against Exeter. From this Wednesday and our return to training, we were all thinking about this match against Toulon and nothing else. It’s going to be a tough match, which we approach without a few executives left to rest. The Toulonnais will try to slow down our game so we will have to be ready to put some fight into the rucks.

You were a substitute during the eighth and quarter of the Champions Cup, how did you experience it?

The objective is to be a starter, of course. But when I’m a substitute, I still do my best to make a difference when I come on in the second half. I understand that my second-third line versatility makes me a “perfect replacement”. It’s an advantage to be on the match sheets but covering both positions is perhaps a handicap if I want to start.

I love these kinds of matches where you defy the odds a little with some young people

Some internationals are rested for this trip to Marseille, but you are used to seeing your squad change enormously from week to week…

In Toulouse, the squad is always competitive whatever happens. We can sometimes afford to rotate over a few matches. This is the case this weekend.

Is there also deep down in you the desire to prove, as in Clermont, the depth of the Stade Toulouse squad?

Clearly! We have already shown on certain trips that we could achieve big results despite a reshuffled squad. During my first year here, during the Six Nations Tournament, we won in La Rochelle (14-11 on February 27, 2021 Editor’s note) and it was a crazy match. Nobody expected us and I love these kinds of matches where you defy the odds a little with a few young players.

Are you going to take up a little more space in this squad deprived of a few indisputable starters?

Not really. I am content with my role on the pitch and especially on the sidelines. It’s one of my strong points so I really want to do the job at that level.

I didn’t feel good during the matches against Pau and Bordeaux

Do you think that the touchline will be the key sector of this meeting?

We first analyzed their defensive touches. We’ll have to preserve our ammunition and try to steal some from them. They have Esteban (Abadie) and Charles (Ollivon) in the lineup, so it’s not going to be easy.

You are going to play at the Vélodrome on Saturday evening, a new meeting relocated during one of your trips, you are starting to get used to it we imagine…

Yes, this was already the case in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. These are matches that we love to play. These are memories that remain throughout our career, especially at the Vélodrome, where there is always a great atmosphere. You hear the stadium vibrate, you feel the fervor of the public, it’s the most beautiful stadium in France for me.

How do you feel physically?

I didn’t feel good during the matches against Pau and Bordeaux. It was better in the Champions Cup but I do a few extra exercises after training to try to be in the best possible condition for the future.

When you say you didn’t feel well, what are you referring to?

It’s not really physical. My body responds well. It’s more about my purely “rugby” performances, quite simply.