Axel May / Photo credits: XAVIER LEOTY / AFP
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07:42, June 17, 2023
A new Classic of French rugby? For the third time in two years, the Toulouse and La Rochelle ogres, the two best teams in the regular season, are competing for the Shield of Brennus, Saturday, in the final of the Top 14.
A fireworks display to end the season? Relaxed atmosphere Friday at the Stade de France. The Toulousains, followed by the Rochelais, carried out the traditional training on the eve of the final. The Reds and Blacks, 21 titles of champions of France to their credit, will be opposed this Saturday evening to the Maritimes, double European champions in title.
“We are going to play the best team in Europe”
“The truth is that we are going to play the best team in Europe. They have shown it by winning and, I repeat, games in the last moments. They have a rather important and remarkable strength of character And so we will try to oppose our desire to play”.
Words that make the experienced Brice Dulin smile on the side of La Rochelle. “It’s only been a few years now that I’ve seen press conferences, whether it’s Ugo Mola or his predecessor Guy Novès, we tended to quickly send the ball back into the opposing camp at the level of the favourite. Afterwards, I think that That’s not the question. It’s just going to be two great teams, two squads arriving in good shape,” said the French international.
La Rochelle wants to do the double?
This 2023 final is the same as in 2021. Stade Toulousain then achieved the double, Top 14/European Cup. A performance that La Rochelle hopes to achieve tonight.