everything you need to know about the big LOU challenge this Saturday in Toulon

THE CONTEXT

The LOU is in dire straits

Humiliated at home by Bayonne (49-38), LOU is in dire straits. While its start to the championship was honorable, this defeat breaks the positive dynamic and cracks the confidence built up since the summer, especially since this severe setback, and even more so the way in which the Lyon collective gave in, are of concern. She puts LOU back under pressure before a trip to Mayol, where Baptiste Couilloud's teammates will find the Toulonnais cheered up after being crushed (57-5) in Toulouse.

For this match, the Lyon staff made eight changes to their starting fifteen. Rey, Géraci, Allen, Gouzou, Cassang, Parisien, Mignot and Méliande replace Taofifenua, Guillard, Allen, Botha, Couilloud, Maraku, Rattez and Niniashvili respectively. He has put together a rather unexpected team with, in particular, the start of several players who have lacked playing time recently. “The players who will have the chance to wear this jersey must respect it and want to fight for it. They all have a chance to show their level,” says Fabien Gengnebacher

Injured during preparation, 3^e line Allen and scrum half Cassang will make their big debut at Mayol. The LOU staff also made strong choices by placing Cretin, Couilloud and Niniashvili on the bench on which there are six forwards, but also by leaving the group Taofifenua, Lambey, Maraku, Rattez and Tchaptchet.

THE OPPONENT

The people of Toulon are also angry

Everything was going well until last Sunday for Toulon. Undefeated in Mayol, the Toulonnais won (14-10) in Paris, and brought back two solid defensive bonuses from La Rochelle and Clermont. But Stade Toulousain has been there. Is it useful to specify that the scale of this defeat (57-5) upset Pierre Mignoni, for whom it was the worst defeat in the Top 14. Even deprived of several key elements, which can explain this rout, the manager Toulonnais, still suspended, had very little taste for the behavior of his players in Toulouse. The week was lively for Toulon, which only precedes LOU by one point in the standings.

For this match, the RCT will be deprived of the services of its left pillar Gros, retained by the XV of France, and of several major players, such as Rebbadj, Gigashvili, Paia'aua, Fainga'anuku, injured. But he recovers three of his internationals (Ollivon, Fisch, Garbesi), without forgetting his playing master Serin recovered from his rib injury. And his presence changes everything for Toulon! Left free by Fabien Galthié, winger Villière was not called up by Pierre Mignoni.

But the latter undoubtedly intends to crush the LOU in front if we refer to the composition of his pack and his six-forward bench. In any case, he selected all his wide-body aircraft to test the Lyonnais in direct play. Much lighter than its Toulon counterpart, the LOU front five will have to transcend itself to withstand the shock.

The FIGURE

1

The number of LOU victories in Mayol, where it won 27-23 in Toulon on March 25, 2023. But its biggest feat in Toulon dates back to May 18, 2018. That day, the protégés of… Pierre Mignoni had snatched a draw (19-19) and qualified for the trials for the Top 14 semi-finals in Lyon.

THE KEY TO THE MATCH

The LOU will have to survive in the hell of Mayol

“It’s going to be a man’s business!” », insists Fabien Gengenbacher. The LOU manager set the scene for this clash between Toulon and LOU in Mayol. Missing out on their first half against Bayonne, the teammates of Steeve Blanc-Mappaz, promoted to captain, will have to prove that the defeat at home against the Basques was just an accident.

In any case, they will have to once again show a solid and united state of mind to exist in the hell of Mayol. In short, they will have to be present in the combat phases, be sufficiently aggressive and spare no effort.. Deprived of several big players in the front five (Taofifenua, Guillard, Lavanini), the LOU pack is counting on its 3^e Allen and Gouzou line to play moving forward. It will also be necessary that the Lyonnais manage to channel their desire to do well and their excess energy in order to find the right balance so as not to be too penalized.

Faced with a Toulon team which is the one which plays the most on the foot and carries the ball the least often since the start of the season in Top 14, the LOU will have to win the fight of occupation. The fact that the RCT is the most penalized team (107 penalties, 10 yellow cards) is also an element to take into account.

THE SENTENCE

From Toulon manager, Pierre Mignoni

LOU’S STAT

121

The number of balls lost by LOU, an average of more than 15 per match. It is the Top 14 team which loses the most balls along the way. In this little game, Léo Berdeu is the one who loses the most (14). The Lyon opener is ahead of Davit Niniashvili (13), Ethan Dumortier and Baptiste Couilloud (11).