Rugby: after the European Cup, Stade Toulouse achieves the double by winning the Top 14

Published on : 06/25/2021 – 10:43 PM

The shield of Brennus will have made only a brief return trip to the Parisian capital, on the occasion of the Top14 final won, Friday, June 25, by Stade Toulouse (18-8) against Stade Rochelais. Reigning French champions, the Toulousains have indeed kept the trophy which rewards the French rugby champion each year.

Toulouse quickly took matters into their own hands in this match, leading 6 to 0 after a quarter of an hour thanks to a penalty and a drop from Thomas Ramos, holder at the opening instead of Romain Ntamack forced to withdraw from this final.

Enterprising, the two teams offered the 14,000 spectators present at the Stade de France an offensive rugby, taking advantage of each ammunition to carry the danger in the opposing camp. The two defenses, still fresh and well organized at the start of the match, were able to contain the assaults.

The Rochelais, who lost their precious back Brice Dulin to injury in the 22nd minute, relied on their solid pack of forwards to try to bend the Toulouse. But they have made too many mistakes to achieve their end.

A new penalty succeeded in the 33rd minute by Ramos allowed Toulouse to increase their lead (9-0). He had a decisive role in this first half by multiplying the candles in the sky of Saint-Denis.

The Toulouse occupation strategy paid off against a scrambled La Rochelle team, which notably lost an important ball in touch in the 38th minute. And she was punished by a new drop registered by Cheslin Kolbe from the 50-meter line, returning to the locker room without having scored a single point (0-12).

The 100% at the foot of Thomas Ramos

Very determined on their return to the field, the Rochelais managed a good start to the second half which resulted in a penalty marked by their opener Ihaia West. Despite heavy rain, the two teams chose to give more rhythm to the game and the final gained in intensity.

Used to playing in the finals, Stade Toulouse took advantage of their experience to control their opponent and the awkwardness of Rochelais West who missed a penalty in the 60th minute. Conversely, Ramos did not miss the opportunity to register 3 more points two minutes later.

The last twenty minutes remained to the advantage of the reigning European champions, the Rochelais failing to reverse the course of this meeting. They seemed to be resigned little by little to the idea of ​​losing a second final this season against Toulouse, after that of the Champions Cup last month.

Ramos was responsible for registering a new penalty, thus signing a superb 100% on foot. With a 15-point advantage (18-3), the Toulouse were not worried when they saw the Rochelais register a try in the 77th minute, the only one in the game. Because they knew that the victory could not escape them, with the key a 21st title of champion of France for the Toulouse stadium. .