Top 14. Facing La Rochelle, Toulouse can soar to the top of the championship
By Quentin Marais
Published on
The last two European champions meet in Ernest-Wallon, to close the 8th day of the Top 14, Sunday October 23, 2022, at 9:05 p.m. Toulouse and La Rochelle cross swords for a reunion whose outcome can become the first turning point of the season.
The chef receives his dolphin
Leader of the Top 14, the Stade Toulousain masters its start to the season, like that of the previous year, during which he had won his first six meetings. Best attack and best defense in the championship, four bonus victories out of the six won since the start of the season: Ugo Mola’s troops present a almost perfect balance, simply blackened by the defeat to 0 points suffered on the lawn of Pau (26-16). The only downside.
In front, La Rochelle, reigning European champion and now in search of a national crown, is in ambush. The Maritimes had won their first three games before missing the last two trips, at Clermont (22-13) and Bayonne (29-13). They still come out of a clear victory against RC Toulon in the enclosure of Marcel-Deflandre (32-5) and are firmly placed ranked second in the Top 14.
Toulouse can fly away
Although runners-up to Stade Toulousain, the Rochelais are still 6 points behind the Rouge et Noir. Suffice to say that in case of defeat, the winners of the Champions Cup 2022 would literally see their host fly away leading the championship. Toulouse could count 11 steps ahead if he came to win a bonus victory, this Sunday evening. A scenario that was repeated on each reception in the Pink City: Toulon (28-8), Racing (37-10) and Clermont (46-10) paid the price…
And if La Rochelle was deprived of two titles by Stade Toulousain in 2021, it is not only in the final that Antoine Dupont’s partners dictate their law. Indeed, the last seven confrontations have turned to Toulouse’s advantage:
- 2021-2022: Toulouse 33-28 La Rochelle (Top 14 dams)
- 2021-2022: Toulouse 23-16 La Rochelle (Top 14)
- 2021-2022: La Rochelle 16-20 Toulouse (Top 14)
- 2020-2021: Toulouse 18-8 La Rochelle (Final Top 14)
- 2020-2021: La Rochelle 17-22 Toulouse (Champions Cup Final)
- 2020-2021: La Rochelle 11-14 Toulouse (Top 14)
- 2020-2021: Toulouse 39-23 La Rochelle (Top 14)
Very good news for Ugo Mola
For this prestigious reception, Ugo Mola will always have to do without Cyril Baille, François Cros, Dimitri Delibes, Santiago Chocobares, Pita Ahki, Melvyn Jaminet, Rodrigue Neti or even Paul Graou, injured. But in addition to the end of suspension by Emmanuel Meafou, the Toulouse technician recorded an expected return: that of Romain Ntamack. Hit in the ankle during the victory against Toulon at the beginning of September, the international opener resumed training this week and appears in the group against La Rochelle.
Was this article helpful to you? Know that you can follow Actu Toulouse in space My News . In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.