The Top 14 final will therefore be a remake of that of the European Cup, between Toulouse and La Rochelle.
This Saturday evening, the players of Ugo Mola, without being flamboyant, still provided the essentials against the Union Bordeaux-Bègles (24-21) They will come to defend their title of 2019 at the Stade de France.
On paper, this Garonne derby on the bill for this semi-final has everything to become a Clasico. A style opposition, coaches who do not appreciate each other, stars (Ntamack and Jalibert) in competition with the Blues… It is still necessary that the oppositions are memorable. So far, the Toulouse European champions have always had a head start, against the UBB which this year is playing its first final phase of the Top 14. The UBB was therefore determined to invite itself to the table. of his enemy big brother. It was without counting on the mastery of a Toulouse team which has been on the water for two seasons.
The champion's luck?
The Haut-Garonnais' first attempt is in any case happy.
Under pressure, Dupont, rather discreet Saturday night, releases and his kick, countered slightly by Lamerat, puts Tolofua back into play who transmits to the limit of the forward to Ntamack who spins alone in the in-goal (5 -0, 5th).
But Christophe Urios has more than one trick up his sleeve.
The earthy manager of Bordeaux, after three consecutive defeats against the European champion, had promised "to approach things a little differently".
We expected a more restrictive game, limited to iron defense and upwind combat.
It was rather taking initiatives and a willingness to try all the right things.
Audacity rewarded by the test of Ben Lam, after a breakthrough from the Seuteni center relayed by the winger Cordero (8-7, 13th).
Ntamack KO
Then the Toulouse steamroller started up, pushing the Bordelais to make a mistake in the rucks. In this muddled first period, Ugo Mola's players are doing better, Thomas Ramos taking care of widening the gap on penalties. Toulouse has a trial lead at half-time, without giving the impression of having to force his talent (14-7).
It is Matthieu Jalibert, again him, who will sound the revolt on the Bordeaux side.
A distant penalty, and especially the ball snatched from the hands of Ramos who leads, after several playing times, to Ben Lam's double.
The UBB takes the lead (15-14, 54th), when the turning point of the match comes.
The Seuteni center irregularly places Romain Ntamack.
The head-to-head shock is terrible.
The opener of the Blues is KO, and the Bordeaux center is logically excluded.
At 14 against 15, Dupont's teammates returned to the front after a try from Ramos.
Toulouse suffered, but Toulouse won.
As usual.
Dots.
Toulouse - Bordeaux-Bègles 24-18
(14-7).
Toulouse.
2 tries (Ntamack 5th, Ramos 67th).
1 transformation (Ramos 68th).
4 penalties (Ramos 11th, 18th, 34th, 58th)
Bordeaux-Bègles.
2 tries (Lam 12e, 54e). 1 transformation (Jalibert 13th). 3 penalties (Jalibert 44th, 61st, 76th). 1 red card (Seuteni, 57th).