Toulouse secures its future by extending Mola and its executives
The champion of France and Europe has already planned for the next seasons by securing most of his major players, at the same time as his manager. Even if there are still a few issues to be resolved.
For several months and its historic double, the Toulouse Stadium has anticipated its change. Part of the group was under contract until 2023 and the idea was to settle the main issues so as not to be disrupted in the World Cup year, especially as many Red and Black will be on the bridge for the event. As announced several times in these columns, hooker and captain Julien Marchand (26 years old), scrum half Antoine Dupont (25 years old), left pillar Cyril Baille (28 years old) and third row François Cros (27 years old) have been secured over the long term. The first until 2028, the others until 2027. Revealed by us, the extension of the second Australian line Richie Arnold (31 years old) is now effective. The interested party is engaged until 2025. According to our, the opener Romain Ntamack (22 years old) is also close to initialing a new lease and discussions are continuing with other international registered in priorities, such the hooker Peato Mauvaka (24 years old) for example. As mentioned in Midi Olympique, manager Ugo Mola, initially linked until 2023, had conditioned his extension to those of the executives of his workforce, who are now mostly insured, and that of high-level manager Jérôme Cazalbou. The technician had given his agreement in principle to President Didier Lacroix a few weeks ago. Mola will therefore continue until 2027.
Rory Arnold to Japan, Tekori to Carcassonne?
The Toulouse of the coming seasons is taking shape, even if it will still have to make up for a few departures. If that of Antoine Miquel in Bordeaux-Bègles was with the recruitment of Alexandre Roumat, the club could be brought to prospect in the second line. Returned to the Australian selection since November, Rory Arnold (31) – at the end of his contract in June – is thinking of giving a new direction to his career to afford the maximum chances of playing the 2023 World Cup with the Wallabies. A departure to Japan is particularly in the pipeline. In the same sector, it was accepted that Joe Tekori (38) was playing his last season in the Toulouse jersey, even if the player was part of his desire to continue. His signature in Carcassonne, where Christian Labit wants his room, takes on thickness. Note that the Springbok flanker Rynhardt Elstadt (32), until 2023, can be engaged in the cage if Toulouse has just strengthened further in the third row.
Several names have also circulated to densify the post of scrum half, while Dupont will often be with the XV of France before the World Cup. But there shouldn’t be any additional recruiting in this area. Baptiste Germain (21) is under contract. Alexi Bales (31), with a clause that has not been denounced by the player or by the club, is now hired until 2023. And the international winger Arthur Retière (24), who joins Ernest-Wallon where the losses of Yoann Huget and Cheslin Kolbe had not been compensated for last summer, can help out in number 9, where he started his career. Still in the line of three quarters, the Pierre-Louis Barassi file (23 years old) is completed, that of Melvyn Jaminet (22 years old) is still in progress.