At the Ernest-Wallon stadium,
And suddenly, a song rose from the bottom of the stands of Ernest-Wallon, more than an hour after the end of this enjoyable Stade Toulousain – Sharks (54-20) in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup. To listen to an extract, it is better to count on the following video than on a possible passage of this cluster of Toulouse supporters to The Voice. The text is inspired by a well-known tune: “Ramos is Brazil, he dances the samba, he goes from town to town, giving penalties. “For the rhyme, we will come back, but Thomas Ramos, back on the lawn at that time, seemed to appreciate the intention.
A little earlier, the back of Stade Toulousain had planted 29 points against the Durban franchise, including two tries. In the wake of a top-of-the-range VI Nations Tournament, which he finished as a “pichichi” (84 points, best total for a Frenchman in one edition), the 27-year-old international did not miss much. thing, and could even have scored a hat-trick without an approximate pass from Matthis Lebel in front of the opposing line.
A kick that changes everything
His sublime kick of the 69th minute, when the Sharks were only 6 points behind his team (26-20) made it possible to find a 50-22, and therefore a touch which led to the test of Peato Mauvaka. The first of a series of four in twelve minutes, during an end to the match in the form of Red and Black fireworks.
Enough to be named man of the match without too much debate, like six days later in the quarter-finals against other South Africans, the Pretoria Bulls (33-9). Or almost. “I’m not denigrating this choice, but Romain Ntamack was incredible today in his decision-making and his choices,” objected stadium manager Ugo Mola. To be honest, behind dominating forwards after a complicated first 20 minutes, the Ntamack-Dupont-Ramos triplet would have deserved to share this distant heir to the Gedimat trophy, which systematically returned to Vincent Clerc as soon as he set foot on a lawn.
“They are connected”, breathes Mola, who evokes the “incredible generation” from which Toulouse benefits. Antoine Dupont also speaks of “connection” to evoke the relationship with his opener Ntamack and his rear Ramos, also capable of taking No. 10 without worry, as he had proven during the title of champion of France 2019 or at the start of this season. Last summer, he was promised purgatory with the arrival of Perpignan Melvyn Jaminet, then holder at No. 15 in the France team, and the Italian from Grenoble Ange Capuozzo.
Jaminet pushed back to the stands
The proud Tarnais, whose departure from Toulouse was even mentioned for a time, let it be said. And he made everyone agree, in club as in selection, from the autumn tour. His five-week suspension for a header sanctioned by a red card against the English of Sale (45-19, December 18) was not a stoppage, but rather a recovery period before resuming the thread of the best exercise of his career. This Saturday, if Capuozzo was injured, Jaminet watched his competitor shine from the stands, for lack of sufficient versatility to apply for a place as a substitute.
Full of panache but never hotheaded (except perhaps on this incredible footballer’s low pass for Ntamack in his own in-goal, from the 7th minute), Ramos perfectly embodies the “Toulouse style game”. A rugby often fantasized, but which becomes reality when the stadium pack gets going to allow the talent of the three-quarters to express themselves. As at the end of the match, brightened up with a plunge into the promised land, after an offering from Dupont.
The chambering of Antoine Dupont
The captain, a decisive passer on five occasions (out of seven tries!), might have been able to go it alone, but he made his friend bite. “It was to promote the transformation, between the posts, to make it easier for him. The score was quite tight, and as he has the foot which sometimes trembles. »
The best player in the universe had an easy joke in front of the press. But the people of Toulouse will probably not be laughing much in three weeks, when it comes to achieving the impossible in Dublin against the ogre of Leinster in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup. In 2019 and last year, at the same stage of the competition, they left Aviva Stadium with red cheeks and buttocks (30-12 then 40-17).
Future coach of Stade Toulousain?
For this clash between the main providers of the XV of Ireland and France, Thomas Ramos and his friends will not have to approach excellence, but to achieve it. Fortunately, aiming for the moon does not scare the native of Mazamet, so long confined to the rank of stooge in Blue.
“Thomas has long wondered whether he was a world-class player, slipped Mola after the success against the Bulls last Sunday. I think he is set to be a world class player. “” He is a brilliant boy, added the sports boss of the Stadium. He could take my place and I think he will take it soon…” Finally, there are a few deadlines between now and then. A World Cup at home for example.