Clément Pédron, Media365, published on Sunday December 8, 2024 at 12:50 p.m.
Stade Toulousain welcomes Ulster this Sunday afternoon (4:30 p.m.) as part of the first day of the Champions Cup. The reigning European champion is the favorite while Bordeaux-Bègles hosts Leicester at the start of the afternoon.
Stade Toulousain is heading towards this first Champions Cup meeting with the confidence of the outgoing champion and no less than six continental stars on the jersey. Leader of the Top 14 with two points ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles, the Occitanie club switched to “Europe” mode for this weekend. This Sunday, Toulouse hosts Ulster, tenth in the URC (United Rugby Championship) in an Ernest-Wallon stadium ready to boil (4:30 p.m.). And for the occasion, while Stade Toulousain is placed in a strong group, Ugo Mola brought out the heavy artillery. Faced with the supposedly weakest opponent, the manager of the reigning French champion summoned all the big names at his disposal. Only Cyril Baille, Pita Ahki, François Cros, Anthony Jelonch and Blair Kinghorn, injured or in the recovery phase, are unavailable. With this team composition, the objective of the reigning European champion is obviously to succeed in the “back-to-back”. “We are in a sprint where every point counts to do well at the end,” says Mola in comments reported by the Team. So we have to change quickly, because we don't have time. The slightest misstep seriously complicates your task. »
Continue the good momentum for Bordeaux Bègles
In the same group, Union Bordeaux Bègles approaches Leicester's reception with envy (2:30 p.m.). And as for Stade Toulousain, the 2nd in Top 14 intends to get off to a flying start and leave nothing along the way. Above all, Yannick Bru's players will be keen to finally achieve a full match after recent lackluster performances. Recently in the championship, UBB certainly won but came close to being penalized on several occasions and this inconsistency is a warning signal for the Gironde team. At a press conference, Christophe Laussucq warned his men: “We are aware that the level displayed in recent weeks is not sufficient, he always recognizes for the Team. It's been a while since we've had performances that aren't good enough to claim anything in this high-level competition. » During their last opposition in 2021, Bordeaux Bègles lost against Leicester (13-16) and will be keen to play a full match at Chaban-Delmas.
The compositions
Toulouse stadium: Ramos – Capuozzo, Barassi, Chocobares, Lebel – R. Ntamack, Dupont – Banos, Roumat, J. Willis – Meafou, Flament – Aldegheri, Mauvaka, Ainu'U.
-Ulster : S. Moore – Kok, Carson, McCloskey, Lowry – Morgan, Doak – Mar. Rea, McNabney, Mat. Rea – Sheridan, A. O’Connor – Wilson, McCormick, Warwick.
Bordeaux Bègles: Bielle-Biarrey – Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, A. Retière – Jalibert, Lucu – Vergnes Taillefer, Samu, Diaby – J. Gray, Petti – Tameifuna, Lamothe, Poirot.
Leicester : Steward – Bassett, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins – Shillcock, Van Poortvliet – Ilione, Cracknell, Liebenberg – Heyes, Clare, J. Cronin.
