It has become the new shock of French rugby. The Top 14 season ends with a final between Toulouse and La Rochelle, Saturday June 17 at 9 p.m., at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis). The two teams, who came to the first two places in the regular season, have opposite records: Stade Toulousain is the most successful club in the history of the championship, with 21 victories, while Stade Rochelais is aiming for its first Brennus shield. . But the Charente-Maritime club is in a positive dynamic, after winning its second consecutive title of European champion. Follow the meeting, broadcast on France 2 and france.tv, in our live.
Revenge of 2021. The two teams had then already met in the final, and the experienced Toulouse had taken the upper hand over novice Rochelais at this level, after having already beaten them in the final of the European Cup. This season, in the league, each of the two teams has beaten the other at home.
Toulouse see their opponents as favorites. Modesty or psychological cunning? Ugo Mola, the coach of Toulouse, described the Rochelais as“arch-favorites” during his press conference on Friday. “Opposite, we have a very confident team, sure of their strengths and who are having a great season”, insisted Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont. Opposite, the La Rochelle coach did not reject the compliments: “If we play our game, there is no team that can beat us”said Ronan O’Gara.
Physical and mental freshness, the key to the match? The Toulouse players will arrive a little more rested in the final, having played in an easier and disputed semi-final a day earlier. But La Rochelle does not have the same pressure on its shoulders as the red-and-blacks who, if they lose, will go on for a second consecutive season without trophies.