Super League: can Toulouse Olympique hold on?
Five days from the end of the regular phase, the TO still occupies the last place in the standings, synonymous with relegation. But the hope of maintenance is still valid.
On the lawn of Wakefield, the Catalan Dragons killed two birds with one stone the day before yesterday. They won (20-16) thanks to a hat-trick from winger Fouad Yaha and the precious boot of Arthur Mourgue, who successfully replaced Sam Tomkins at the back.
Thanks to this precious victory, the Catalans remain in the top 4 but above all, President Guasch’s team has given Toulouse Olympique a little boost. At the end of this 22nd day of Super League, the Toulousains, certainly still last in the standings, are still only two lengths behind their direct pursuer: Wakefield. Five days before the final whistle of the classification phase, the hope of maintaining is still possible.
“Toulouse can maintain itself”
The performance of the Dragons thus offers a breath of fresh air to the team of Sylvain Houlès. Before completing this first qualifying phase, the task of Toulouse remains something uncomplicated. Remember that they will only receive once (August 25 against the Catalan Dragons) for four trips to Wigan (August 19), Hull FC (August 28), St Helens (September 3) and Warrington (Thursday evening) . According to the coach of the France team and former coach of the Catalan Dragons, Laurent Frayssinous, Toulouse is more than ever a candidate for the Super League next season.
“The championship is not over, I remain convinced that Toulouse can maintain itself. There is quality within the workforce, there are talented players. Within the management, the work is serious The “investment of Toulouse residents deserves to be rewarded. Very often when a team is up against the wall, it manages to transcend itself. As things stand, Toulouse must remain focused and play 200% in the last five games. I know the schedule is not easy. On the side of Wakefield, the calendar is not easy either with oppositions against St Helens, Wigan and Huddersfield. In addition, the home defeat against the Dragons keeps them under threat from Toulouse.
To do well, it would be necessary to win the day after tomorrow evening in Warrington (10th) training currently in the hard and which remains on a large setback in Wigan (32-6). Thursday at Halliwell Stadium, Sylvain Houlès and his men will certainly deliver the most important meeting of the season. A victory would restore color to the legendary blue jersey. Can’t wait for Thursday at 9 p.m.!