Top 14 – Toulouse relied on its dynamic young executives against Perpignan

In this context, which Toulouse is used to, it is easy to talk about the young people that France rugby is discovering or the bosses who remained at Ernest-Wallon. In the first category, we must highlight the “deflowerings” in the Top 14 of Mathias Remue, holder at the back and author of a solid performance, and scrum half Simon Daroque, as it should be noted that Benjamin Bertrand, Thomas Lacombre or Efrain Elias show that it will be appropriate to quickly count on them. “We work with them every day and we try to train them so that they are ready when they take this step”explains David Mélé, also responsible for Espoirs. For the second category, Jack Willis once again proved that he did not practice the same sport as the others currently, when the presence of Romain Ntamack or Anthony Jelonch was reassuring for the rest of the group. But here, it is a question of focusing on the so-called “intermediate” players, not the priority choices in the XXL meetings but who are gradually gaining depth. How not to mention Clément Vergé? Of course, he cost two penalties and indiscipline remains his little guilty pleasure, but he was otherwise extremely active and excellent in the game, even scoring a double. “He scored two tries, was effective in touch and, at points where we expected him like rucks or combat, respondedrejoices Mélé. He is a young player, who has a lot of room for improvement. He works a lot to get to this level of performance.” Quite a guarantee, while the staff faced a shortage in the second line with the absences of Flament, Meafou, Arnold and Brennan. As for the hooker Guillaume Cramont who, for two years, has ensured whenever Marchand and Mauvaka are not there.

Banos: “We must not miss it”

Also, without Cros or Roumat, Théo Ntamack and Léo Banos had the opportunity to stand out in the third line. Challenge met. If Romain’s brother knows waste, his running speed and power wreak havoc on defenses. He also offered himself a trial and sent a clear message, namely that he has all the qualities to be a very talented number 8. For Banos, whose work is sometimes more discreet, it proved essential in a meeting like that of Saturday. Very clean and precise, he was formidable in defense and constantly made Toulouse’s game more fluid on the offensive level. Beyond that, he was the boss of the Toulouse lineup, which reinforces its new dimension. “You must not misssmiles the person concerned. But, when the internationals leave, we have to give our all and show that we know how to be good on certain points, like the touch for my part.”