Stade Toulousain – Perpignan: “the sun” rises for Ernest or the time of the big return for Santiago Chocobares

He shouldn't have been there but it's not Stade Toulousain who will complain about it. Returning from the Rugby Championship with a sprained left knee, Santiago Chocobares (25 years old; 19 selections) was unable to get back on his feet soon enough to apply with the Pumas and be part of the game this Friday evening in Saint-Denis . However, the Argentine center has nevertheless experienced sufficiently positive developments to anticipate its resumption by one week compared to the most optimistic diagnosis, which predicted between 8 and 12 weeks of absence.

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“I'm happy to play here again with the Stadium”, he proclaimed at midday, ensuring that he had “a very good week” during which he felt “very, very good”. No surprise then that the “red and black” staff chose to line it up from the outset against Perpignan. “He’s an important element of the team,” says assistant coach David Mélé. “Santiago is a sun, a smile. Outside of rugby, he’s someone exceptional with the players that he has around him.”

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A reassuring presence in the group which is inevitably felt on the pitch. “He’s not necessarily someone who talks a lot,” reveals the former scrum half. “On the other hand, he’s a real example in terms of behavior, energy and desire that he puts into it. everyone manages to get into his groove, everyone wants to follow.”

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“He takes his role as leader very seriously”

Not luxury in this period of duplicates where many elements of the group are missing. And this even if Toulouse will be able to count on other unusual presences against Usap, like Romain Ntamack or Anthony Jelonch. “It allows, especially in these periods for young people, to increase their level of demands and concentration to be able to try to put themselves on the same level as him,” continues Mélé about the one he describes as “ unifying”, “necessarily excited” and “concentrated”. “He wants it to start because he knows that his injury period is over and that he will finally be able to show what he is capable of,” he continues.

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For this first match this season in the Toulouse jersey, “Choco” will therefore have a lot of responsibilities to assume. “I know that he is 100% ready to take on this challenge,” says Mélé. “He knows that we need him. In these periods, we need executives and leaders. He is part of it and he takes his very close role.” And he's not just talking about warming those of his partners.