Three months after its crushing defeat in the Top 14 final, UBB took its revenge by winning in Toulouse on the 4th day of the championship (12-16). Maxime Lucu and Louis Bielle-Biarrey hurt the Rouge et Noir.
On June 28, 2024, Stade Toulousain retained the Brennus Shield after a one-sided final which saw it crush Bordeaux-Bègles by a clear score of 59-3. A record gap in the Top 14 final. Three months later at Ernest-Wallon,
the UBB washed away this affront by winning on the lawn of the Rouge et Noir (12-16) as part of the closing match of the 4th day of the championship. This success was built in the first period by the men of Yannick Bru, the former French champion with Toulouse officiating on the Girondin bench.
In three minutes, Louis Bielle-Biarrey single-handedly changed the course of the match. A test highlighting his speed qualities first of all (7-8, 20th). Then making the difference again to ideally serve Maxime Lucu (7-13, 23rd). Subsequently, the UBB channeled the Toulouse offensives which, however, fell just short even if Blair Kinghorn had ideally launched his formation on a service from Thomas Ramos (7-0, 8th). Coming off the bench, Peato Mauvaka also found the fault at the conclusion of a penetrating group (12-13, 71st).
UBB at the top of the Top 14
But repeated mistakes in the rucks cost Ugo Mola’s men dearly, penalized three times in this sector of play in the last ten minutes, notably beyond the siren in the 22 meters of the UBB. Before this last mistake, they lacked success when Dimitri Delibes’ try at the end of the line was disallowed for a forward pass in the last minute of regulation time. Consequently, against all expectations, Stade Toulousain suffered its first setback of the season, especially in its garden.
This misstep prevents Toulouse from achieving a fourth success in as many outings and occupying the lead in the Top 14 alone. With 14 units, they share the throne with their executioner of the day and Toulon. Next Saturday for the 5th chapter of Top 14, UBB will host Bayonne while the European champions will challenge Castres at Pierre-Fabre.
