Top 14 – Valentin Delpy, Sialei Tolofua, Simon Daroque… Who are these young people from Toulouse close to winning in La Rochelle?

Valentin Delpy, the Blagnac gunner (21 years old, third Top 14 match)

It is undeniably the name that stands out this Sunday morning when discussing these young Toulouse residents who made Alldritt, Atonio and company doubt (22-19). The opener stood out with a cool-headed drop in the 76th^e minute. Before that, his foot had not shaken when adjusting three penalties and a conversion (100% success in the match). But he also has hands, attacking the line sparingly but always at the right time (35m covered with the ball, three defenders beaten). He was also fair in defense, with eleven successful tackles. Compared to his teammates from the Espoirs de Toulouse, the original Ariégois has some professional experience.

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Trained in Blagnac, he started in the National with the Toulouse suburbs during the 2022-2023 season, notably playing a semi-final return to Dax as a starter. In a dual license with Stade Toulouse during the last financial year, he played a total of 22 matches with the Caouecs before they filed for bankruptcy last February. After his 18 minutes of play in the Top 14 last season, his performance at Marcel-Deflandre should allow him to be called upon more during doubles!

Sialei Tolofua, the brother of (19 years old, first Top 14 match)

A third center line from Stade Toulouse with the surname of Tolofua, this reminds Ernest-Wallon regulars of the percussion of Selevasio, now on the Toulon side. This last name also refers them to Christopher, the hooker trained in Haute-Garonne and now in Montpellier. It is now up to Sialeivailea, her full first name, to take over. Entering at halftime, he played his first professional minutes. To celebrate, he was at the conclusion of a carried ball (69^e). He had already stood out during the last U20 6 Nations Tournament, as well as during the World Cup in the same age category last summer, where he went to the final with the Bleuets (21-13 defeat against the English). ). At the club since 2012, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his siblings while making a name for himself with devastating charges. His size is very reminiscent of Selevasio: small but oh so powerful (1m85, 95kg).

Simon Daroque, the unfortunate (19 years old, second Top 14 match)

The scrum half discovered professional Rugby during the big 41-9 victory against Perpignan. In Charente-Maritime, the meeting was much closer. Against Stade Rochelais, the player trained at FC Villefranchois paid for his lack of experience by having a clearance blocked by Oscar Jegou, which led to Tolo Latu's try. Encouraged by his teammates, he did not lose track of the match. But he had to come out injured afterwards a very dangerous shoulder charge from Tolu Latu in a ruck.

Efraín Elías, the Pumas (20 years, third match of Top 14)

It seems crazy, but it's true: the Stade Toulouse Espoirs team has an Argentinian international in its ranks every weekend. Efraín Elías joined the Rouge et Noir this summer, shortly after playing a Rugby Championship match with the Pumas against New Zealand, please (entered in the 46th minute). For the moment, it is with the young people that the second line, two meters high, is developing. But, as the 6 Nations Tournament approaches, which will undoubtedly concern Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, we risk seeing him play more often with the “big guys”.

Célian Pouzelgues, the septist (21 years old, second Top 14 match)

The winger was not very visible, the balls not always arriving on his left wing. But he was not stingy with his efforts, coming to offer himself in other places on the field, like this beautiful restart ending with a penalty converted by Valentin Delpy (20^e). It's a shame that this talented winger, seen for a minute last year against Clermont, was so little used in this meeting. Because the player who arrived in the pink city in 2022 has already shown all his talent this season on the Sevens circuit, of which he is part of the post-Olympic champions generation. With the Blues, he notably achieved the final of the Cape Town stage last December.

Lucas Vignières, Mr. Clean (19 years old, first Top 14 match)

He was the symbol of this stunning Toulouse youth facing these Rochelais as surprised as they are timid. In the first act, ball in hand, the first center “kicked” a certain Uini Atonio on a percussion, just that! This must have earned him a lot of messages received from those close to him since the end of the match… Applied in defense (8/8 in tackling), interesting offensively, the native of Toulouse made us want to be seen again!

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Arriving within the red and black institution in 2018 after having trained at Seilh-Aussonne-Fenouillet XV, he already has the culture of winning. Like many of his young partners, his list of achievements on the Stade Toulouse website is already full: champion of France Crabos in 2022 and 2023, he also won the national title among the Espoirs in 2024. Add to that a medal of gold at the U18 European Sevens Rugby Championship and here you have the leader of a generation already used to raising shields…

Thomas Alary, the kid (18 years old, first Top 14 match)

Last May, the fullback was still playing with the juniors at Stade Toulouse. This Saturday evening, he played at Marcel-Deflandre with Brice Dulin opposite. The player trained at Balma remained rather sober in his performance but he was not afraid. A reliable scorer, he finished top scorer last year in Crabos with 226 points. No one doubts that Ugo Mola will give him other opportunities to show himself!

Thomas Lacombre, the world champion (20 years old, fourth Top 14 match)

Facing Stade Rochelais, the hooker found Oscar Jegou. In the summer of 2023, in the Bleuets jersey, they won the U20 World Cup against the Irish (50-14). Substitute, the Toulouse player entered during the match, as in the final of the last edition, lost to the English this time. Despite this consistency in the French youth team, the Ariégois did not have the opportunity to confirm at club level, barred, in particular by the trio Mauvaka-Marchand-Cramond. This season, the captain of the Espoirs is starting to find his place and played his fourth match in the elite. His cleanliness in his throws helped Ugo Mola's men compete with the Maritimes. He had already stood out for his dynamism in the game during his return to school with Benjamin Bertrand and Malachi Hawkes in Lyon (J12, 17-17).

Raphaël Portat, the giant (21 years old, first Top 14 match)

Substitute against La Rochelle, the second row with an impressive size (2m02, 108kg) made his professional debut. However, his five capes alongside Bielle-Biarrey, Barré or Gailleton with the U20s in 2022 suggested a more rapid emergence of the original Ruthenois.

Benjamin Bertrand, the history (21 years old, six Top 14 matches)

In a short time, the left pillar will no longer be able to appear in this list. Facing Ronan O'Gara's men, he played his fourth Top 14 match this season. He had already played two during the last exercise, which he started on the Blagnac side. He had been loaned to the Caouecs. Like his teammate Valentin Delpy, he then returned to Toulouse at the end of the suburban adventure. It is now regularly used by Ugo Mola during doubles or major squad rotations, such as in La Rochelle. One particularity should nevertheless be noted: since his beginnings in rugby in 2009, he has always signed his license at Stade Toulouse.

Malachi Hawkes, the mini Ainu'u (22 years old, fifth Top 14 match)

This comparison could be limited to their long wavy hair but no, Malachi Hawkes and David Ainu'u share another quality that is much more useful to the Toulouse staff: their versatility. When we know to what extent front-line positions each require extreme precision, particularly in conquest, we can only praise the performance of the Australian, a trained hooker, who held his own in the scrum against Reda Wardi for 47 minutes. If he can perform as well as he did on Saturday, regardless of position, Hawkes will undoubtedly be very valuable in the years to come.