Top 14 – “Fight for 80 minutes”: Toulouse, this glass ceiling that UBB must break

It’s not new. If the real rivalry between Stade Toulousain and UBB is only a few years old, Toulouse has always been a glass ceiling for the Girondins. Like a barrier that always prevents the Bordelo-Béglais from dreaming higher, from touching the Grail. The Top 14 final, experienced as a humiliationis only the latest in a series of traumatic matches for a club whose progress is nevertheless in no doubt. Remember Beauxis’ missed penalty in 2015, on the Ernest-Wallon pitch, when the fly-half could have sent his club to the final phase for the first time in its history. In 2017, Matthieu Jalibert had experienced a similar misfortune, in the same place. Also remember that crazy Toulouse comeback at Chaban-Delmas in 2019, where a stinging 36-0 was inflicted by the Haut-Garonnais in the second half. Finally, remember those two semi-finals (Champions Cup and Top 14) lost by UBB against Toulouse in 2021.

So many painful memories that come to the surface when it is time to talk about the great clashes between the two teams. On Sunday evening, UBB will therefore have the mission of making them forget, by winning the first success in its history on Toulouse soil. Because yes, after the crazy success at Mayol last yearErnest-Wallon is the only Top 14 stadium where the Bordeaux and Whites have never won since their promotion in 2011 (no match has yet been played in Vannes). Beating Toulouse on their home turf would also atone for the affront of this last championship final, won 59 to 3 by the Red and Blacks. “It’s a scar that will remain open for quite some time, Maxime Lamothe admitted at the end of August. But it’s a new season, we’ve changed a few things.”

Jalibert: “It’s a real test against the best team in Europe”

These adjustments, certainly added to a desire to be forgiven, have led to a convincing start to the season for Laurent Marti’s club. In particular with convincing successes against Stade Français (despite the loss of the bonus) and Racing 92, UBB showed that it had the weapons to compete with the very best teams in the championship, even perhaps Toulouse.

In a good position in the ranking, the Bordelo-Béglais are only surpassed by… Ugo Mola’s menSunday’s duel therefore resembles a summit, which mixes desires for revenge and sporting stakes. “As competitors, we always want to confront the best, launched Matthieu Jalibert. It’s a good opportunity for us to see where we are. It’s a real test against the best team in Europe. They are so strong that I don’t think there is a good time to go there but it’s good to face them in the fourth game. As a group and with a bit of ego, we just want to show that this final was not us. No matter what the result is next Sunday, we just want to show a positive image and our true value. We are going there to fight for 80 minutes.

A choice then faces Bordelo-Béglais manager Yannick Bru. Should he field his best team this Sunday or should he rest his key players, at the risk of being severely punished by an in-form Stade Toulousain? All the while knowing that the latter scenario would not improve the group’s confidence during the clashes against the two-time reigning French champion…“When you lose the arm wrestling against Toulouse, they break your wrist on the table,” had blown the former hooker after the last Top 14 final, before promising that the team “will be better next year.” So should we send the big guns to Ernest-Wallon? Answer in a few days.