The “Galactics” of Toulouse favorites of an increasingly high Top 14
An ultra-high championship without a real soft underbelly where all the matches are important. A few seasons, observers and followers distill the same remarks all weekend long to talk about the Top 14. If sometimes these preconceived phrases could make you smile, it is clear that they have now become more than likely.
During the previous exercise, it was necessary to wait until the last day to know the complete casting of the final phases. Today, a good ten teams can claim to join the famous Top 6 at the end of the season. Overview of the forces involved.
Stade Toulousain has further strengthened
Top 14 semi-final, Champions Cup semi-final. For many teams, this balance sheet could be positive at the end of the financial year. But not for Stade Toulousain.
For Ugo Mola’s men, a season without a title is synonymous with failures. In order not to experience such a shortage again, the “red and blacks” were recruited with a vengeance. And especially behind. Melvyn Jaminet (back), Ange Capuozzo (back or winger), Arthur Retière (winger) and Pierre-Louis Barassi (center) came to reinforce an already well supplied line of attack.
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In front, if the departures in the second row of Iosefa Tekori (retired) and Rory Arnold (Japan) may seem detrimental, the Stadium still has a pack capable of moving everyone with the addition of the reinforcement of Alexandre Roumat. It remains to be seen how Toulouse will manage the international periods. Last season, difficulties appeared on the banks of the Garonne…
Stade Rochelais as pack leader
Can Montpellier succeed itself? Authors of a very solid season, the men of Philippe Saint-André are among the legitimate contenders. But on the starting line, formations seem much more equipped.
Stade Rochelais broke the Indian sign by finally managing to conquer the title it lacked with the Champions Cup. With Antoine Hastoy, Ulupano Seuteni and Teddy Thomas, the Maritimes have recruited players capable of making a difference. What was perhaps lacking in the solid base of the Maritimes to see even higher.
prime Samuel Ezeala (ASM Clermont): “I like the center”
Behind La Rochelle, Racing and UBB also have strong arguments to make. But the Ile-de-France residents may have strengthened themselves with the contribution of Cameron Woki in particular. A considerable loss for the Bordelais.
Behind these two formations, ASM Clermont and Toulon will seek to regain their former glory. The RCT will want to surf on its “recovery” of the last few months with reinforcements on all lines (Priso, Timani, West, Sinzelle, Waisea). The LOU, which will have to manage after Mignoni, the Stade Français, in perpetual (re) construction, and Castres seems to be leaving with fewer guarantees. But you never know with the Tarnais…
A four-way hold
The holding race should also be tight all the way. Between Pau, Brive, Perpignan and Bayonne, the points will be worth a lot. Especially in direct confrontations.
The Basques have the opportunity to get by thanks to the contribution of experienced players (Bosh, Machenaud, Lopez). The USAP has lost a few executives without actually managing to replace them. It could be important…
Arnaud Clergue