Toulouse: a frustrated but realistic Cyril Baille after the defeat against Castres

Zapping Quinze Mondial Rugby: Top 15 highest paid playersStade Toulousain players will not have the opportunity to defend their title next weekend, in the Top 14 final. Ugo Mola’s men lost on Friday evening in the semi-final against Castres Olympique (24-18). Toulouse started their match very well, however, with an exciting first twenty minutes. But from the yellow card received by Rory Arnold, the Castres woke up and worried their opponents. The second half was very close, the duel was up to the deadline. But Toulouse took a fatal blow to the head in the 77th minute, with the CO’s second try scored by Julien Dumora. In any case, this is the observation that the Toulouse pillar Cyril Baille was able to make in a post-match press conference. The French international inevitably appeared dejected, but realistic, only able to see the beautiful copy made by Castres. I obviously feel frustration, even if I think it was a big game. But I congratulate the CO, they were pragmatic as we managed a good first fifteen minutes, and then it was difficult. I think we gave it our all, but if you ask me for a strong image, it’s that last try that gave us a headache. Afterwards, I tell myself that it may be good to come back down to earth. (…) Castres did not finish first in the Championship for nothing. It was up to us to find the parade and we did not succeed. I think we failed in our outings and in the ground game where they scratched a few balls for us. No title for Toulouse, which ends a somewhat complicated season out of breath. Time to rest now, a well-deserved rest, especially for the many international players at Stade Toulousain…unless they go to Japan? It is unlikely, Fabien Galthié having wanted to put his executives to rest. But Cyril Baille indicates that if the staff needs him, he “remains at the disposal of the national team of course”. To sum up The Stade Toulousain players will not have the opportunity to defend their title in the final, after their defeat in the semi-final against Castres. Inevitably disappointed, the international pillar Cyril Baille wanted to be realistic, acknowledging the very good game led by the CO.