Anthony Jelonch left Castres Olympique last season to travel 80 kilometers and join Stade Toulousain. The Gersois could well face his old friends. Provided that Stade Rochelais is dismissed this Saturday in a sold-out Ernest-Wallon stadium.
Anthony, we imagine that you particularly want to face the CO?
First there is a jump-off to play. We will do everything to make a great match and go find my former teammates in Nice. I would like to be in Nice next week of course, but there is La Rochelle this Saturday evening. A very tough game physically.”
Dams, you already know…
Yes ! (laughs). With Castres, I won here at Ernest-Wallon in 2018. Toulouse hadn’t been in a play-off for a while but we’re ready.
You are a neo-Toulouse, the others have already lifted trophies in recent years…
I came here to win titles even if I won one in 2018 with Castres. I now want to win with all these good guys. I had a wonderful year, getting to know them. We see that they all want to go and get more titles. They will all be at 100% this weekend to get another title.
What match can we expect?
To a very big fight. They made a extraordinary match against Leinster in the European Cup final. They have super powerful forwards with the ball in hand. We will have to counter these big ball carriers if we want to compete. We can say that it is the strongest pack of the Top 14. It will be a big shock. We’re going to have to be clean on our offensive rucks and aim for their big scratchers.
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