Toulon-La Rochelle, with Europe in the back of your mind

Two-time European Cup finalists Varois and Maritimes will face off next Saturday in a festive poster that has been moved to the Stade Velodrome. But the issues are many.

by
Arnaud Coudry

published On 05/05/2023 at 6:39 PM.

Fifteen days to rejuvenate, gain strength and rise – just a bit – in power. This past weekend RC Toulon hit their ticket to Challenge Cup final by controlling Benetton Trevisoafter a few hours, Stade Rochelais did the same, but in the Champions Cup, the English were unofficially thrashed by Exeter. Not having time to savor a lot, it was necessary to quickly move into the top 14 and race for tickets to the final stage.

Haute, director of Rochelais Ronan O’Gara It didn’t hurt to bliss after qualifying for a third consecutive European Cup Grand Final. “This isn’t an answer you’ll like, but for now, there’s no interest for me to talk about the endswept insisting:I have to prepare a group for Toulon, and we have to try to win the Shield while doing well in the Champions Cup.No time to relax.

Also read – Champions Cup: Strength, Maturity, Confidence… Stade Rochelais is ready to challenge Leinster

Same motive on the part Gregory Aldrete :”We are fortunate to go from a semi-final match to a prime time match at the Velodrome. We must not slow down even if we have the finale in the back of our minds. The group is growing. It is not enough to be qualified. We are very ambitious.” Inevitably, the surroundings of Marseille will bring back fond memories for the third row of France and his colleagues, since they were crowned European kings there last year against Leinster.

“It took us a while to adapt but for a few months the team was playing really well.”

For Stade Rochelais, the deal is simple: success against RCT will secure His place in the first two, is synonymous with direct qualification to the semi-finals And a welcome week of rest, sparing yourself from the sluice box. Ronan O’Gara Band Dynamics – Saturday Special by Jonathan Dante, Yoann Tanga, and Levani Botia Impressive: Nine consecutive victories in all competitionsincluding six in the Top 14. After a few failures in Marcel-Deflandre (three defeats), the Caravelle club managed to export itself with talent: 27 points collected, 6 victories, no one was better in France.

In contrast, RC Toulon has had a rocky season but it is clear that they are gaining momentum as they approach the final race. “It was a bit difficult at the beginning of the season because there were a lot of new players. It took us a while to adapt but, for a few months, the team has been playing well and we are still in contention in two leagues.he admitted to AFP Western Toulon Yahia openerformerly … La Rochelle.

Half of New Zealand’s fly is drooling at the thought of being reunited with his former partners. “It will be great. It will be a slightly different game, especially in Marseille, because we did something special there last season with La Rochelle, by winning the Trophy of Champions. I know all of the Rochelles are excited to be back on the Velodrome stage, Progressing. It would be nice to see friends again, but on the field it will be different. It will be an important meeting for us, to remain in the top six.

Also read – Challenge Cup: ‘Life is Beautiful’ at RC Toulon, a taste of Wainiqolo that wants to extend to Rade

Currently 5th but only 1 point behind LOU and Racing 92, before the fifth Challenge Cup final (for four defeats so far), the Var club will have to grapple with two of the best names: La Rochelle, then Racing 92. Stade Rochelle in Toulon, which has lost four times, has hardly succeeded. times in the last five meetings, including an 11-29 February 2021 loss in Mayol.

This Saturday, other ex-Rochle will surely want to shine against their former teammates. Jeremy Senzel, Dani Briseau and other Mathieu Tanguy have all recently left the Atlantic Ocean for the Mediterranean. They also handed over some keys to the Stade Rochelais: “When we analyzed Franck La Rochelle video (Great, Co-Director) He asked if we wanted something to add so we shared a little bit about our experienceIhaia West says.

RCT really has no right to make mistakes if it wants to go back to the final stages of the tournament for the first time since… 2018 and lose the playoff in Mayol against Lyon (19-19, 2 tries 1). Eternity for a club of this stature.