Two clubs from the region in the semi-finals of the Top 14: Castres Olympique – Stade Toulousain this Friday June 17 at 9:05 p.m. If the match is played in Nice, on neutral ground, the atmosphere is already going up a notch on France Bleu Occitanie between Castrais and Toulousains.
Derby between Castres and Toulouse traders
This morning, derby between traders from the two cities. On the Toulouse side, it is Jean-Charles Carrère who defends his colors. The boss of the “A m’en donne” bar on the banks of the Garonne, behind the Abattoirs museum, is also a big fan of Stade Toulousain. “We are here to show what real rugby is” he begins.
We often say that Castres is a small town but you know, we have a big heart, we have rugby in our blood
In front of him, an unconditional Castres Olympique: Nabil Haddouche. He runs “Le Venise”, an Italian restaurant close to Agoût. He already warned his employees yesterday: more than one topic of discussion until Friday and it is of course, this semi-final between two neighboring clubs. “As I often say as soon as there is a match in Castres, it’s like a mass, it’s historic”.
The derby begins on the topic of the decoration. At “Venice”, Nabil Haddouche has a head start: since he has started decorating and will install a giant screen on Friday evening. “Everything has been in place for a week, the flags are already hung”.
Immediate response from Toulouse, Jean-Claude Carrère: “We don’t need to redecorate, it’s permanently displayed since rugby is Toulouse! It’s more than a religion, it’s the emblem of the city”.
As to who has the best audiencethe two traders ignite: “we are a family. We live it every day every day” launches for example the boss of “Give me some”.
Let’s talk a little rugby now. Five Brennus for the CO, twenty-one for the Stade Toulousain but what does it matter for the Castres trader: the Toulousains must not win the point of experience. “We are fresher than Toulouse, we had a week off compared to them. We have small players but talented players”gets carried away Nabil Haddouche, the Castres boss of “Venice”.
“But these Castres are painful: we have maestros!” replies the Toulousain Jean-Claude Carrère. It must be remembered that the two clubs had already faced each other in the Top14 half exactly ten years ago, in 2012. And it was Stade Toulousain who came out victorious, before lifting Brennus in stride.
Nabil Haddouche wants to remind: “painful perhaps but we finished first in the ranking”. “A beautiful shelf trophy”replies the Toulouse trader,“but arriving before the others does not mean that they will really win the trophy. He will stay in Toulouse” wants to believe Jean-Claude Carrère.
Castres – Stade Toulousain: the match of the accession to the final of the Top 14 to follow Friday from 8:35 p.m. on France Bleu Occitanie.