One step forward, another step back. This regular season has been one of inconsistency for Stade Rochelais so far, with a mixed result. Seven wins, six losses. Including some severe hiccups recently against teams playing in or near the red zone, like this setback at home against Vannes, or last weekend in Perpignan, with no defensive bonus to boot. Mathematically, there is no fire yet, with a provisional 6th place at mid-season still synonymous with qualification for the final phases.
But with the arrival of Toulouse at Marcel-Deflandre to begin the return phase, the Maritimes are already starting to no longer have much of a choice. Even if it’s a Toulouse second, or even third, who will present himself. A potentially truncated shock, but La Rochelle offers too few guarantees to look down on the “Toulouse babies”. “We expect courage and commitment from young people. La Rochelle will need no less, it is a stronghold of rugby“, explains Jean Bouilhou, the Toulouse forwards coach.
The public at the Marcel-Deflandre stadium celebrating their heroes after the second European coronation in 2023.
Credit: Getty Images
If we called them to come at midnight, they would be there
A place that we have therefore known to be a little stronger than in recent times, but a place in any case extraordinarily faithful. Facing Toulouse, the Rochelais will play their 100th consecutive home match behind closed doors, obviously without taking into account the Covid-19 health crisis, which had imposed closed doors and/or a health gauge. But apart from this period, since January 2, 2016 and a victory against Castres Olympique, Deflandre has constantly refueled to reach this impressive three-digit total this weekend.
“It shows how loyal our supporters are.“, relishes the international pillar Uini Atonio of the club, who experienced slightly leaner times upon his arrival in 2011, when the Stadium was in Pro D2, even if the public was already very massive and loyal. “They are always there, come rain, wind or snow. If we called them to come at midnight, they would be there“, he adds, hilariously.
“It’s a good reward for the club and the city, this hundredth closed door. Playing in a full stadium is important. I have experienced full matches with 5,000 seats. It proves the loyalty and love that the city has for this sport“, assures Romain Carmignani, forwards coach and former Maritimes player. To celebrate this 100th, a pre-match show is planned with “pyrotechnics, light show and dance show” on the program before the players enter. All the more reason not to spoil the party by going through…
