After reigning over the regular phase, Stade Toulousain has a status to assume with its cohort of internationals against the unpredictable Racing 92 in the semi-final of the Top 14 on Friday (9:05 p.m.) at the Anoeta stadium in Saint-Sébastien, at the Spanish Basque Country.
09:00 | updated at 10:14
The context of the first semi-final could not be clearer sportingly, with a big favorite, Toulouse, who took the lead 24 of the 26 days of the season. “It’s up to us to be able to assume, as we did in 2019 and 2021”, asked Toulouse manager Ugo Mola. “It’s been three times, out of the last four championships played, that we have finished first. There is a form of regularity, but unfortunately we only pay ourselves by winning”.
Its players, assured for a long time of being there in San Sebastian, present themselves much fresher than they were last year before being surprised by Castres (24-18) at the same competition stage.
They even tasted the luxury of an internship in Portugal last week, in climatic conditions similar to those which await them on Friday evening in the Basque Country, while Racing went through the dam box.
“We will have no excuse on the physical level and the preparation”, assumed François Cros, who is wary of the opponent from Ile-de-France, winner last weekend on the ground of the French Stadium (33-20) and always capable of offensive dazzling.
“Having won the play-off away from home will perhaps give them extra soul and confidence,” warned the Rouge et Noir international third line. “It’s a team that has the appetite and the desire to save its season”.
Racing “without pressure”
Eliminated from the pools of the Champions Cup, the Hauts-de-Seine club, a monster of inconstancy, finished the regular phase of the championship in fifth place and willingly embraces its outsider status.
“We know who we are going to face. Over the whole season, Toulouse has been much more consistent than us, ”said Racingmen manager Laurent Travers. “It’s not at all jargon, it’s reality. They were much more efficient and it shows on the accounting level, but also at the rugby level. You have to be clear”.
“They (the Toulousains) finish first in the championship far ahead. They have a group with a lot of internationals. They have won twice against us (this season)…”, supported the international center Gaël Fickou. “We come without pressure, to play a great rugby match. Everything is possible, we see it every year. We also have our card to play.
Spain must bring back some good memories to Racing. He was crowned champion of France in 2016 after a final relocated to Camp Nou in Barcelona due to the Euro football in France. His latest title.
The last 10 winners of the Top 14
2022: Montpellier
2021: Toulouse
2020: not awarded (due to the Covid-19 pandemic)
2019: Toulouse
2018: Castres
2017: Clermont
2016: Racing 92
2015: French Stadium
2014: Toulon
2013: Castres
2012: Toulouse
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