Toulouse. Stade Toulousain: a facelift
In the off-season, the French champion completely changed his squad. The master pieces are gone and have been replaced by an ambitious youth.
On June 4, 2022 in Grenoble, Stade Toulousain wrote a beautiful page in its history by winning the very first title of French champion in its young history at the expense of neighboring Blagnac. After this feat, the majority of winners (estimated at a dozen) decided to end their careers, including internationals Céline Ferrer, Laure Sansus, Camille Cabalou, etc. After such a haemorrhage, many clubs would have seen their intentions drop. Only, when you call yourself Stade Toulousain, it is not in the culture of the club to give up. We always find solutions.
In the home stadium, you draw from your own garden to ensure the future. The current structure of the flag team is thus made up of the hope team and the cadets, who also experienced the joy of the title during the season won.
“Rebuilding is not synonymous with a lack of ambition”
Stade Toulousain 2023 has thus taken a facelift. From now on, around the experienced Gaëlle Hermet, Maïlys Traoré, Zélie Reulet and Fiona Lecat, we must now get used to new surnames. Thus, Sarah Gbizie, Cléa Correa (second line), Jade Gougeon, Lou Rehoboam, Isis Espuga (third line), Océane Borde (scrum half), Elodie Fernandez (opening half), Garance Delord, Camille Bourdeil (center) and Marie Ibanez (winger) are the new face of the pennant team.
Even with a totally revamped group, the reigning French champion still has the firm intention of playing the leading roles. “Rebuilding is not at all synonymous with a lack of ambition, support Olivier Marin, the manager. We have a title to defend, we have no intention of giving it up.” As recently as last Saturday, the Stadistes showed that their ambitions were intact. They won brilliantly against an ambitious and excellent Montpellier (20-17). A victory snatched at the last minute of play, which combined the coaching and his manager. “Saturday, the team showed that it had character. We are on the right track”, adds Olivier Marin. Sunday, the Stadistes will challenge Bordeaux, the current leader. After their performance against Montpellier, they have an idea in mind on Gironde soil.