How we meet again… For the first week of doubles linked to the international window of autumn test matches, Aviron Bayonnais hosts Stade Toulousain, this Sunday evening in prime time (9:05 p.m.). There is a form of habit to these meetings during these periods of the year since this has been the case since October 2022. The last four confrontations between Bayonnais and Toulouse, i.e. those of the last two seasons, took place made without the major team of the two-time defending champion. Haut-Garonne forwards coach Jean Bouilhou had fun: “It’s a team that we play in doubles all the time, so it’s quite special! »
The good news in this context comes from the fact that Brennan, Jelonch and Lebel were released in the middle of the week by the staff of the XV of France (read elsewhere). However, many captains will be missing. “This trip to Bayonne, against a team in really good shape at the moment, will perhaps be our biggest away match since the start of the season,” the technician immediately asks. With, what's more, a reduced team… It will be a real challenge. »
On the importance of these periods…
Regardless of this observation, the fact remains that Toulouse residents took advantage of the previous weeks to stock up on supplies. A first place in the standings ahead of UBB, six victories in eight matches, with a current series of three successes, the last of which against Toulon who suffered no challenge (57-5). “In the first half, they countered us well then we made some technical errors. In the second, we managed to keep the ball much more and gain our contacts, whether offensively or defensively, held back Anthony Jelonch, who came on to score a double. This allowed us to take the lead. » In the ranking too since the bonus point is enough to put Bordeaux-Bègles one unit behind. “We are in our passing times,” Jean Bouilhou was satisfied. There is still this defeat at home against Bordeaux but we managed to make up for it in Pau. We are in the thick of things, before this somewhat delicate period that we know well. »
Stade Toulousain knows too well that these weeks are not only delicate because they are carried out in a small committee but also because they weigh heavily at the end of the ball. Clearly, seasons in which doubles were suffered rather than controlled often ended in play-offs, and without a title (the 2017-2018 and 2021-2022 exercises are examples). “Obviously, it is better to approach the period of duplicates a little in advance, which is our case, rather than lagging behind,” reveals Jean Bouilhou. Another competition is about to start and we are going to prepare seriously for it. » The Bayonnais have been warned.
Infirmary
Returning to the Stadium pitch seven minutes earlier, Richie Arnold suffered an acromioclavicular dislocation against Toulon. Seen in the stands during the same match, Julien Marchand (calf) did not immediately return to training. Still ahead, Alban Placines (ankle) is missing, as are Nepo Laulala (Achilles tendon) and Cyril Baille (ankle). On the other hand, Mathis Castro Ferreira is fit. Behind are Pierre-Louis Barassi and Naoto Saito, but not Romain Ntamack (calf). It's the start of the period of doubles but Toulouse can count on Joshua Brennan, Anthony Jelonch and Matthis Lebel, all three released by the staff of the XV of France. Mauvaka, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Roumat, Dupont, Costes, Ramos are in the selection but not the Argentines Mallia and Chocobares (hit in the knee), nor the Scotsman Kinghorn.
