the essential
Stade Toulousain is preparing to defend its title in the Reichel Espoirs category. And this, with the great serenity which characterizes the Haut-Garonne club in these moments of great tension, even among its young shoots.
If the professional team is currently treading water, with a title in the Champions Cup two weeks ago, a direct qualification in the semi-final and great certainties in the game, the Espoirs Reichel team is not left out . She will try to defend her title this Sunday in Graulhet, for what will be the third final in a row for the Stade Toulouse in Espoir Reichel. “It’s crazy, but the luck we have at Stade Toulouse is that the youth categories are used to doing well, says one of the coaches of these hopefuls, David Mélé. We are reaping the fruits of this training has been so effective for many years.”
“They systematically manage to get in tune”
These are the first two teams from pool 1 who meet for this summit of hopes since they beat their counterparts from the other pool, Clermont and La Rochelle, in the semi-finals. “Castres has a fairly complete team, with quite clear front qualities whether in the scrum or on the touchline, but also in the game close to the lines, presents David Mélé. They manage to string together playing times with big ball carriers Behind, their players are very interesting, particularly for the length and precision of their kicking game.” To this the Toulouse residents will oppose the remarkable dynamics of the club for several weeks and above all a know-how that is quite rare for their age. “Their ability to adapt is one of their greatest qualities,” says their coach. “They systematically manage to get in tune, whatever the level at which they are involved.”
Their integration into the training of the professional group for many years is undoubtedly no stranger to this. Not to mention that this is the third final in Reichel and some players from the 2003 generation have even more, with the finals played in Crabos. “Their wisdom, their calm, their detachment despite the upcoming event continues to surprise us, the staff. Even if it sometimes annoys us, jokes David Mélé, it makes our work easier.” And the preparation for the final which will be approached with great serenity.
