Toulouse Olympique XIII: against Warrington, it’s double or nothing!
The Toulouse are in an obligation of result in order to maintain hope: the maintenance passed by a victory this Thursday August 11 at the Halliwell Stadium.
The mention of Warrington invariably sends Romain Navarrete and Tony Gigot back to the 2018 season, a fast and glorious period in their careers. Faced with this opponent, the first named won the Super League with Wigan (12-4 victory) during the first frosts of autumn.
In August, on the grass of Wembley, the second had distinguished himself by winning the Cup with the Catalan Dragons. In addition to the victory against Wolves (20-14), the Avignonnais of Toulouse Olympique was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy, trophy for the best player in the final. Tonight, the two major players of the TO will find Warrington on his Halliwell Stadium lawn, not in the context of a final, but the more dramatic one of maintenance.
Warrington on a four-game losing streak
A maintenance that concerns both formations. Warrington may have won 32-18 in the first round at Ernest-Wallon on February 26, he has been experiencing a (serious) drop in speed for several weeks, which has relegated him to tenth place in the standings with fourteen points on the clock.
His last success dates back to July 10 in Perpignan (36-10) against a mixed Catalan formation. The following is a series of four consecutive defeats, against Hull KR at home (30-22) then during three unsuccessful trips to Castleford (35-22), Huddersfield (32-22) and Wigan (32-6 ). After these four consecutive setbacks, Daryl Powell’s team cannot afford a fifth misstep, under penalty of exposing themselves to the threat of Wakefield and Toulouse.
A Toulouse formation which is playing part of its sporting future tonight. If successful, it will put pressure on Wakefield and relaunch favorably in the race for maintenance. In the event of defeat, Wakefield will be a little more in control of his destiny and will thus be able to prepare for the reception of Wigan with a little more serenity. Tonight, gentlemen of Toulouse, play, dare, take care of your end of the game and above all have no regrets!
The Toulouse Olympique group: Schaumkek, Jussaume, Norman, Albert, Navarrete, Hansen, Peyroux, Marion, Pélissier, Puech, Bretherton, Hankison, Sangaré, Russell, Ashall-Bott, Peat, Belmas, Alvaro.