Yes, 2023 is definitely the year of rugby. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the oval, the Top 14 offers a more than enticing last poster. A clash of titans between Toulouse and La Rochelle, remake of the 2021 final which had seen Stade Toulouse crowned for the 21st time in its history at the expense of Stade Rochelais (18-8).
Two years later, the hour of reunion has come, the fight promises to be thrilling as the two teams have flown over the competition. Toulouse finished top of the regular phase with the best defense in the championship, scoring 474 points against La Rochelle (479 points) which takes 2nd place in the standings.
If everything is possible in sport, it is clear that the players of the Pink City have a capital inflated to block confidence. Winner of Racing 92, with a score of 41 to 14 in the semi-finals, at the Reale arena in San Sebastián, the Toulouse club won in style thanks to five tries and a serene and more than efficient Thomas Ramos at the foot. Les Rouge et Noir now have only one ambition: to win the French championship title for the 22nd time and remain the most successful team in the French Ovalie.
There was no question of getting carried away, however, as Antoine Dupont pointed out to the press after the semi-final: “We have been first all season, the logic is respected for the moment. […] We know that the objective is to come back with the shield of Brennus, otherwise there will be disappointment, but we know very well that we haven’t arrived yet. Because before (re)touching the piece of wood, it will be necessary to get rid of La Rochelle, ready, with its ogre appetite, to stand up to its Toulouse executioner. The one who, in 2021, deprived her of the title of European and French champion.
After defeating Union Bordeaux Bègles (24-13) in the second semi-final, the Maritimes once again have the opportunity to bring the Brennus home, which would be a first for the Yellow and Blacks and would allow them to become the 28th French rugby champion since 1892. “We are 80 minutes away from our dream, but we really have to keep our feet on the ground, because we have a mountain that stands in front of us”, temporized the captain La Rochelle Grégory Alldritt, interviewed by AFP.
And another dream can hide another. Stade La Rochelais managed to retain its European Champions Cup title by beating Leinster last May (26-27). A victory on Saturday over Toulouse would therefore be synonymous with a historic double (European Cup / Top 14). Only Toulouse and Toulon have succeeded, respectively in 1996 and 2021 for Stade Toulousain and in 2014 for RCT.
Indisputable holder of La Rochelle, elected man of the match in the semi-final against UBB, the rear Brice Dulin, 33, would see himself lifting the Brennus for the third time in his career. The former Castres player has already tasted the particular flavor of a French championship title, with the Tarn team (2013), then with Le Racing 92 (2016). So… never two without three? This final could also bring him much more. Because the Rochelais is still in the race to be part of the list of 43 Blues selected to prepare for the Rugby World Cup in France which will be held from September 8 to October 28.
A list unveiled by Fabien Galthié on June 21. Many Toulouse and Rochelais should appear there since the two clubs are part of the talent suppliers of the XV of France. It also remains to be hoped that figures from the Blues, such as Antoine Dupont or Romain N’Tamack, do not come out of this final seriously injured.
The duel will also be on the edge of the field, between two big names in rugby: Ugo Mola, the very incarnation of the Toulouse school, who is aiming for the pass of three as coach after the coronations of 2019 and 2021 and the Irishman Ronan O’Gara who, like a talisman, works miracles wherever he goes.
Since the former Irish international (128 caps with the XV of Clover) became a coach in 2013, he has allowed Racing 92 to find Brennus (2016) and led La Rochelle to the roof of Europe by winning two times the Champions Cup (2022, 2023). Not to mention his time in Super Rugby with the Crusaders, who became champions in 2018 and 2019.
Finally, and this is important, match in sight in the stands, where thousands of supporters of both teams are expected to give voice to the Stade de France which is sold out for the occasion. Enough to push the teams to the top of their game.
Starting XV from La Rochelle
Dulin – Leyds, Seuteni, Danty, Rhule – Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow – Botia, Alldritt (cap.), Pa. Boudehent – Skelton, Sazy – Atonio, Bourgarit, Wardi.
Subs: Lespiaucq, Sclavi, Lavault, Dillane, Bourdeau, Berjon, Favre, Colombe
Toulouse starting XV
Ramos – Retière, Chocobares, Ahki, Lebel – Ntamack, Dupont (cap) – Cros, Roumat, Willis – Meafou, Arnold – Aldegheri, Marchand, Baille.
Remplaçants: Neti, Mauvaka, Flament, Placines, Tolofua, Barassi, Mallia, Famuina.
