The Top 14 are looking for their Clasico. If the PSG-OM opposition still and always sticks to Ligue 1, the French Toulouse-Stade no longer make oval ball enthusiasts stand up. Eyes are now turning to Stade La Rochelle which, thanks to its results, its stars and its public, has established itself as the natural rival of Stade Toulouse. Before the reunion between the two clubs, Sunday October 23, at 9 p.m. at the Ernest-Wallon stadium in Toulouse, franceinfo: sport wondered why this clash has become the new classic of French rugby.
Because they are the two best current French clubs
Respectively first and second in the Top 14, Toulouse (28 points) and La Rochelle (22 points) have been among the tenors of French rugby for several seasons. A club with the greatest record in France, Stade Toulousain experienced a downturn after its French championship titles in 2011 and 2012, filled by its new national title in 2019, then by its double championship and European cup in 2021. That year, the Toulouse ogre won his new trophies there against… La Rochelle.
Constantly progressing since their rise in the elite in 2014, the Maritimes ended up breaking the glass ceiling by succeeding the Toulousains in the winners of the Champions Cup against Leinster (24-21), on May 28. After clinching a European trophy, Ronan O’Gara and his men now dream of raising the Brennus Shield.
times out of 14 possible!
Toulouse and La Rochelle were even the leaders 6 times over 7 days, including 5 times for the @StadeToulousain !
A taste of the final @top14rugby this Sunday at 9:05 p.m. on CANAL +? #STSR pic.twitter.com/NSFhTQG3j5
– CANAL + Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) October 20, 2022
Because there are internationals in spades
To achieve their ends, the two locomotives can count on a workforce rich in internationals. In addition to the best player in the world, Antoine Dupont, Toulouse has in its ranks several executives of the XV of France such as Anthony Jelonch, Julien Marchand or Peato Mauvaka. Nine Toulousains have been selected by Fabien Galthié for the autumn tour, including the opening half Romain Ntamack who resumed collective training on Thursday. He could be the surprise guest at Ernest-Wallon. In his absence, Thomas Ramos shone at the opening, proof that Ugo Mola does not lack attacking options.
La Rochelle is not to be outdone with its captain Grégory Alldritt, author of a superb start to the season, and confirmed internationals (Uini Atonio, Jonathan Danty, Teddy Thomas) or promising (Pierre Bourgarit, Yoan Tanga). A scent of the France team will therefore hover on Sunday, before the period of duplicates, which will reshuffle the Top 14 cards a little.
Because there is a curse
If the public of the Marcel-Deflandre stadium in La Rochelle is considered the best in France (71 consecutive sold-out matches, series in progress since January 2, 2016), the red and black people will be there on Sunday with a stadium Ernest-Wallon also full. Promising in the stands, the battle looks even tougher on the ground. The Maritimes remain on seven defeats in a row against the Toulouse, the last to date, this summer, in the barrage of the Top 14 (33-28). A bad series which could extend to Sunday, when the only victory for the Maritimes in Toulouse dates back to March 2017.
This La Rochelle curse could harm the image again classic of French rugby. It is not so. After all, Olympique de Marseille have only beaten Paris Saint-Germain once in the last ten years. La Rochelle still has a bit of leeway.