Jean-Pierre Elissalde, former professional rugby player and coach knows La Rochelle rugby like the back of his hand. On the eve of the Stade Toulousain / Stade Rochelais match in the final phase of the Top 14 play-off, the former Rochelais scrum-half answers questions from France Bleu Occitanie.
Stade Toulousain faces Stade Rochelais in the final phase of the Top 14 this Saturday in a full-to-the-brim Ernest Wallon. The Rouge et Noir have been a bit of a pet peeve for several years in the Maritimes. With two Toulouse victories last season, in the final of the Top 14 and the European Cup. But this Saturday it is La Rochelle which arrives in Walloon with the status of European champion. Do you arrive with the status of favorite?
Honestly no. La Rochelle, European champion can win against all the teams, it can also lose against some and Toulouse is one of them. It will be a very open game, it’s 50/50. There are so many vagaries in the rugby final, look at last year’s European Cup final with a red card!
Except that a season has passed, Toulouse in difficulty, La Rochelle European champion, have the forwards of La Rochelle become stronger?
Yes it’s true, La Rochelle has improved its offshore game. But you can always miss your game. And Stade Toulousain has filled up and rested, with renewed motivation, it’s positive for them. It won’t matter much.
And mentally?
Mentally and morally La Rochelle is fulfilled. But physically after celebrating the title for three days, you still have a little trouble. So it balances out, make way for the game, make way for the best!
Didier Lacroix, president of Stade Toulousain said this week that Toulouse lost the European title because of the EPCR which canceled two matches of the Rouge et Noir, he is right?
He is right. Having three Irish teams at home is not the same program as when we received once or twice for the semi-final. Of course he’s right. And Montpellier took advantage of it.
A final word on the others. Castres and Montpellier already qualified, Bordeaux and Racing who play their play-off on Sunday, do you see him in whose arms the Brennus this year?
In my heart it would be a Montpellier / La Rochelle final with the curtain raiser of the Cadets first year Toulouse first year because I have my grandson who plays there.