This semi-final derby will perhaps not have its usual fervor on neutral ground, when the neighbors compete for Occitan supremacy in front of the incandescent stands of Pierre-Fabre or Ernest-Wallon.
Those of the Allianz Riviera niçoise should still vibrate for this opposition of style, almost caricatural, between the Tarn sub-prefecture of 40,000 inhabitants and the powerful regional capital.
Between the biggest winners of French rugby, follower of a game of flamboyant movement, and hard-core Castres who delight in the posture of the “little one”, resisting again and again the more fortunate invaders.
“When you see all the stables and all the big budgets that there are next to us, it’s a very good performance on our part to be there”, underlines the Castrese Baptiste Delaporte, pure product of the Tarn house. .
Except that the CO, for the first time in its history, finished the regular phase in the lead after notably remaining undefeated at home. And the young third line does not want to ruin everything: “It’s time for us to pay ourselves. We had a great season and it would be a shame not to end it well. »
Mola knows the CO well
“Rugby in Castres is important. For the people, the city, the department … It’s something that takes the guts, “insists Castres rear coach David Darricarrère. “This club likes important, solemn moments that make it grow. We don’t build ourselves in these moments, but we realize ourselves. »
Even if he does not keep only good memories, the Toulouse manager Ugo Mola knows Castres well for having played and trained there in a previous life.
Twice last week, he praised the work done by his counterpart Pierre-Henry Broncan, whose services he had secured in Toulouse between 2015 and 2018 as defense coach.
“They (the Castres) are not dominant, with the 10th attack, the 7th defense and a sometimes failing conquest, but it must be recognized that the character and the state of mind still prevail in our sport”, greets Mola.
“Fresh as roach”
“They finished first in the championship. That’s a fact. It will be complicated if they still want to pass themselves off as little ones, ”he insists while his team finished fourth after experiencing a big air pocket during the winter in the absence of his Blues.
We could see it as a way to release a little pressure on the opponent, winner of their last confrontation in the final phase, in 2018 in the play-off (23-11), on the road to an unexpected title.
“They are fresh as roaches”: the coach of the Rouge et Noir says he is wary of the state of form of the Tarnais who have only played two matches in a month and a half, against five on the Toulouse side.
Only deprived of its Canadian third line Tyler Ardron, the CO could suffer from a lack of rhythm against Toulouse who achieved a high level performance last weekend in the play-off against the new European champion from La Rochelle (33- 28).
The title holder lost his international third line François Cros, hit in the knee, but recovers the New Zealand right pillar Charlie Faumuina, back from suspension.
It will also have two players in its ranks, perhaps one more motivated than the others: third line Anthony Jelonch and scrum half Antoine Dupont, revealed in Castres before moving 80 kilometers further.