We meet once again !
A month after the final of the European Rugby Cup, on May 22 in London, Toulouse and Rochelais will therefore challenge each other again in the final, this time in the Top 14. The two clubs will compete for the shield, after having scrapped for the European coronation.
A first in the history of French rugby.
A French team which goes on to two finals, European and national, it has already happened several times (Toulon in 2013 and 2014, Clermont in 2015 and 2017, Racing in 2016…).
But that two teams achieve this feat at the same time in the same year, it's unique.
𝙇𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙗𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙛 ⚡
Our Stadistes
rush
to the final of @ top14rugby after their victory against UBB 🔥 #STUBB
🔜 Meeting in Paris, against La Rochelle 💪🏼 # Objectif21 pic.twitter.com/1M4Tkgel5M
- Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) June 20, 2021
A proof of the superiority this season of Toulouse and La Rochelle, who have just finished the regular phase in the first two places of the Top 14. “When the first and the second achieve a full season at national and European level, they have great chances to meet again ”, recognizes Ugo Mola, the Toulouse manager.
Who refuses, however, to evoke a specific rivalry with La Rochelle.
“In the Top 14, there are many rivalries, the championship has never been so homogeneous, and, overnight, we can be undermined by any team in the top 10. And like our friends the English have not won much this year, we find ourselves against the French also in the European Cup.
We played Clermont four times, Bordeaux four times, La Rochelle it will be the 5th time
(Editor's note: including a preseason friendly match)
… ”
Are the Rochelais fresher?
Toulouse, who won the European final (22-17) in London, after a close match at 15 against 14 for an hour, as well as the two Top 14 matches, could leave with a head start, at least psychological.
“All the games are different,” believes Toulouse full-back Thomas Ramos.
In France, it will be another context, with a little more supporters, different teams depending on the facts of the game (injuries, suspensions…).
It's 50-50, we can't claim to be favorites.
"
Read also La Rochelle, a land of asylum on the way to the summits
Ugo Mola even suggests the opposite: "We are a little behind La Rochelle with regard to their performance in the semi-finals," said the Toulouse coach, who also regrets the additional day of recovery enjoyed by the Rochelais, qualified since Friday night.
“I'm not going to do like Guy
(Editor's note: Novès, his predecessor, who often complained about the calendar)
, but still…, he continues.
One more day of recovery in an incredibly long season is no small feat.
"
"Go to the final and not bring anything back, we don't want to go through that anymore"
In unison after their narrow victory in the semifinals against Bordeaux, Toulouse praised the "big package before" and the "control" of their future opponent in the final.
A way of rejecting them the pressure of the favorite?
It is true that the Toulouse residents already have a title.
“The season is already wonderful, admits scrum half Antoine Dupont.
But when you're there, you want to go all the way.
"
By dominating @ racing92 in the semi-final, the Yellow and Black qualify for the first @ top14rugby final in their history !!
#FievreSR 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/OhOtS5fCHc
- Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) June 18, 2021
La Rochelle, a newcomer in the final after a steady progression since the comeback of Pro D2 in 2014, is starting to feel the pressure to finally win a title. “We are not satisfied with going to the final, admits Sébastien Boboul, coach of the three-quarters of La Rochelle. We haven't won anything yet, we know it, the players know it. We saw it at Twickenham: going to the final and not bringing anything back, we don't want to live that anymore. We need titles. There are still eighty minutes left and the day of recovery in addition, we take it with pleasure. So, Toulouse double or La Rochelle revenge? Answer Friday evening at the Stade de France.