Top 14 – Are Toulouse residents really cooler than Bordeaux residents?

“I feel fresher physically and mentally than in other seasons. I had a little less playing time and, without getting too far ahead of myself, I hope I will be better tomorrow than I was during other end of season. I feel less flushed.” Before the semi-final between Stade Toulouse and Stade RochelaisAntoine Dupont expressed his satisfaction at entering this final phase in great shape.

But is this the case for all his teammates? In the collective imagination, Ugo Mola has been able to keep things going in recent weeks with a place in the semi-final acquired a while ago, so his flock has more freshness. So, conversely, the people of Bordeaux, like their end of the match against Stade françaiscan appear physically worn out after having had to go through a play-off match against Racing 92.

To check if these assumptions hold true, let’s check the season-to-date playing time of both teams’ 2-8-9-10-15 backbone. But also over the last two months to see if the club’s first place in the 22 Brennus has allowed them to rotate to preserve its executives.

Obviously, it also depends on injuries and the selections, or not, of the players concerned. Note that Toulouse has played a hundred minutes more than Bordeaux this season. If the Girondins played a Top 14 play-off, the Rouge et Noir played a Champions Cup semi-final and a final with twenty minutes of extra time. On the other hand, Toulouse had a week off recently while Bordeaux played in the play-off against Racing.

Almost tied in front

On the hooker side, playing times are almost similar. Peato Mauvaka played in the World Cup as a starter. But Maxime Lamothe, thanks to his indisputable status at UBB, was able to catch up, when the Toulouse man sometimes had to leave his number two to Julien Marchand.

Peato Mauvaka : 1,459 minutes (this season) / 200 minutes (for two months)

Maxime Lamothe – 1505 minutes (this season) / 288 minutes (for two months)

The two third lines are two regulars of the starting fifteen. Moreover, in this period of tough matches, they have almost identical playing time. But Alexandre Roumat played 232 more minutes. With his club, he played the first three Top 14 matches, while the Japanese had not yet arrived in France. The former BO also played four matches with the French XV during the 6 Nations Tournament. The difference between the two men is largely based on these two points.

Roumat – 1837 minutes (this season) / 354 minutes (for two months)

Tatafu – 1605 minutes (this season) / 330 minutes (for two months)

Dupont and Ntamack a separate case

The comparison between the two number nines is the most particular. Because Antoine Dupont spent several weeks with the French rugby sevens team. He therefore has a cost of 136 minutes. The former Castres player was managed by the Toulouse staff: these last three matches are the semi-final of the Champions Cup, the final of the same competition and the half of the Top 14. He, for example, did not come out from the bench during the victory against Stade français. And a fresh Dupont is a dangerous Dupontlike his three assists against La Rochelle.

Conversely, Maxime Lucu is part of all the crusades, whether with the French team or his club Union Bordeaux-Bègles. Barring a last minute glitch, he will be part of the final in the scrum and will perhaps slip in at the opening to replace Matéo Garcia, like in the half. The former BO will probably have to shoot 80 more minutes.

Dupont – 1,671 minutes (this season) / 259 minutes (for two months) but rugby 7s

Lucu – 1,879 minutes (this season) / 395 minutes (for two months)

At the opening, two different profiles but two particular situations. Romain Ntamack returned from his injury on March 30, against Pau. He was in high demand in important matches: 69 minutes in the eighth and quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, 70 against Racing in the Top 14, 80 during the semi-finals of the Champions Cup and Top 14, as well as 100 minutes against Leinster. , in the final of the Champions Cup. But it was preserved during meetings with less stakes for Toulouse, such as the trips to Montpellier and Lyon in the Top 14. He should therefore be sharp for the championship final.

Matéo Garcia should start the Top 14 final, benefiting from the injury of Matthieu Jalibert. He has played twenty games this season, including fifteen as a starter, mainly when the French international is injured. He too will therefore be fresh for the last match of the season.

Ntamack – 467 minutes (this season) / 260 minutes (for two months)

Garcia – 1,017 minutes (this season) / 209 minutes (for two months)

At the back, both players have almost the same playing time this season. The Toulouse player had a lot of playing time with the Blues when Romain Buros was indisputable at the club. The two players haven’t really had time to breathe but Romain Buros has been cut in recent weeks due to injury. He came back in time to play the jump-off and then move on.

Ramos – 1,970 minutes (this season) / 308 minutes (for two months)

Buros – 1,936 minutes (this season) / 188 minutes (for two months).