Top 14 – Stade Toulousain-USAP: “on this type of match, the warnings are always on”

Watch out for the Catalan furia, this Saturday, November 22 at Ernest-Wallon at 4:30 p.m., during this Stade Toulousain-Perpignan match, counting for the 10th day of the Top 14. Even if the USAP (8th in the ranking) is often in difficulty outside, she intends to take advantage of a period of doubles, while the autumn tour ends, to achieve a hit on the pitch of the Stadium Toulouse (1st). Especially since the Catalans bring generally excited supporters with them.

“The warnings are always on” warns Théo Ntamack, the Toulouse third row. “I think Perpignan targeted this match, like most teams who dream of winning in Toulouse. And the USAP would like to take advantage of this period of duplicates to make a move here. But we know what to expect. And then we have already lost against Bordeaux at home (Editor's note: first match of the championship), we will try not to do it again“.

Knowing that the Stadistes also remain on a defeat on the grounds of Aviron Bayonnaison November 3. But the two-week break was good for moving forward. “Ca nous to rafrachi” summarizes Théo Ntamack.

The stakes are high, in any case, for Stade Toulousain. There is a block of only two matches in the Top 14 (with a trip to Racing next), before starting the Champions Cup campaign on December 8 with the reception of Ulster. In short, it is better not to miss these two championship matches to remain leader, and if possible take a little lead in the standings over Bordeaux-Bègles, La Rochelle, or even Bayonne.

Chocobares back after more than three months of absence, Romain Ntamack too?

But if around fifteen internationals are missing from the Toulouse ranks, the Stadium is also recording significant returns. Santiago Chocobares will thus be on the match sheet. The Argentine center three-quarter returns after his knee injury and three months of absence. Without that, he would certainly have been in the Pumas selection, against the XV of France. But his return to Toulouse comes at the right time for the club.

The Stadium could also benefit from the return of Romain Ntamack. The international fly-half returned to team training on Monday, a few weeks after his torn calf, which deprived him of matches on the autumn tour with the French XV. The Toulouse fly-half participated in the sessions normally, including the high-intensity phases.