Not enough killers in the scoring zone, too soft in defense in the few Racing skirmishes, the Toulouse residents lost in the last match of the championship before the semi-final (31-20). Ugo Mola’s men have two weeks to work on these gaps. Â
This is not the dream way to end the regular season. Despite unchallenged domination, the Toulouse residents did not succeed in breaking the barrier of Racing, which was able to contain the majority of Toulouse’s attacks and managed to qualify at the last minute for the Top 14 play-offs (31-20). A frustrating game for the “red and black” who were unable to achieve enough even though they spent the game within 22 m of the Ile-de-France residents.
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Certainly, the team which started in the Racing auditorium will undoubtedly have little in common with the one which will set foot on the pitch at the Vélodrome in two weeks in the semi-final. The staff had in fact chosen to leave a good part of its executives resting (Dupont, Graou, Flament, Meafou, Chocobares, Barassi) or on the bench (Willis, Cros, Mauvaka, Ramos). However, the evening’s starters were not second-best and they showed that they had points to make. But also that Stade Toulousain is perhaps not as flamboyant as in previous years.
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Starting with the defense and the excessive number of points conceded by the “red and black” for several weeks (more than 25 pawns conceded in the last seven matches). And this was the case again yesterday.
Unlike Racing, a model of courage and solidarity. And the “red and black” have broken their teeth on numerous occasions. Monopolizing the ball for most of the match, the teammates of an uninspired Kinghorn against the poles (4 failures in as many attempts) struggled to cross the goal line in the first half. If Paul Costes failed a meter (37) and Julien Marchand escaped the ball (25), Teddy Thomas thought he would reward the efforts of his team. This was not the case, as his try was ultimately refused for a forward that occurred a few moments earlier (35th).
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And the story wasn’t really any different when we returned from the locker room. The Toulouse residents once again spent their lives in the 22 m of Racing without being paid as they deserved. We had to wait for the entry of fresh players and the orange card received by Sanconnie for unfair play (47) for the “red and black” to finally manage to flatten. By Guillaume Cramont on a ball carried first (53), then Cyril Baille in force (63) for the Stadistes to take the lead again. Unfortunately, the Toulouse defense, not really focused, gave in twice in the actions that followed (54th, 66th).
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Racing didn’t give up, Racing wanted qualification and Racing went to get it. After a penalty from Seunes (73), it was Ashvetia who scored the winning try (75), despite a try from Thomas (69). The Ile-de-France residents were clinical in attack and diligent in defense. In two weeks, the Stadium would do well to take inspiration from it.
