Racing - Toulouse, Toulouse - Racing... Without going back to the big names who jumped from one club to another, often in the south - north direction, Jean-Pierre Rives, Denis Charvet, then closer to us Gaël Fickou , after a detour to the Stade Français, these posters have always multiplied the hyphens.
As if family ties had been formed very quickly between two institutions born to provoke the unexpected, elegance, even dreams.
The one that is looming, on April 6 or 7, in the round of 16 of a European Cup which got off to a sluggish start, has everything to enhance the start of spring which will see the return of internationals to their club.
On paper, between Stade Toulouse, first in the group stage with four improved wins in as many matches and Racing 92, last survivor, in 16th position with three defeats on their record, the gap could seem abysmal.
“Nothing is decided in advance, it will be strategic,” retorts Toulouse manager Ugo Mola.
The Racingmen are never easy to beat in the final phase and they look like scarecrows in the Top 14.”
In the championship, the Ciel et Blanc, who are in fact at the top of the ranking, will also welcome Antoine Dupont and his gang on Sunday evening in their Paris La Défense Arena.
Another competition, another meeting, deserted by the internationals of the XV of France called to prepare the reception of Ireland in Marseille at the opening of the Six Nations Tournament.
Nine Toulouse residents and five Ile-de-France residents were requisitioned.
“Toulouse would have preferred to avoid Racing”
This will not be the case at the beginning of April.
No duplicates, true or false, this time.
The best of the moment will be there, undoubtedly at the Toulouse Stadium, in front of 35,000 curious people.
“This is where we will see what Toulouse can really do,” salivates Denis Charvet in advance.
The former international three-quarter, now a consultant on RMC, played in two Toulouse - Racing, two semi-finals of the French championship in 1990 and 1991. “One in each camp, and I lost both!
», he slips.
When delivering his prediction, the 1987 World Cup finalist barely hesitates.
“Stade Toulouse has more experience and success in the European Cup,” he underlines.
It is a superb team which achieved the Champions Cup - Top 14 double in 2021. The Racingmen have lost three times in the final (2016, 2018, 2020).
They show less consistency.
This was seen again in this group stage.
They experienced difficulties.
»
But the truth of the day is not necessarily that of the next day and Racing is undoubtedly the most unpredictable team in the promotion.
“I think Toulouse would really have preferred to avoid Racing,” adds Charvet.
Its table with home matches (given its group ranking) in the quarter and semi-finals (the final will take place in London on May 25) is favorable but this eighth is a trap.
It will be a funny match.
With duels everywhere, starting with a tasty Dupont - Le Garrec.
» The clash of the stars.
A promise of emotions.