The first line of Stade Toulouse, Emmanuel Meafou or Jack Willis have constantly pushed back their opponents. And behind, Thomas Ramos and Matthis Lebel had ants in their legs. Here are the notes from Toulouse.
Thomas Ramos: 8/10
From the outset, he showed that he was in for a great evening by often creating disorder in the wall of Racing 92. Reassuring under high balls and rather effective in his occupation on foot, he above all proved that he was a outstanding competitor, who had not forgotten his failed semi-final at Leinster. Author of the inspiration that brought the penalty (33e) which allowed Toulouse to have a seventeen-point lead, then an exceptional recovery which ended with Roumat’s try (50e), he was beyond flawless against the posts (7/7). He slipped at the opening after Ntamack’s exit and concluded his score with a whopping 50/22 (80e).
Arthur Retiere: 6.5/10
He always made himself available even if, for a long time, he didn’t have very interesting footballs to put in his mouth. This did not prevent him from spending his time counting, especially in defense, with a decisive intervention on Chouzenoux (43e) at the end of the line. He was finally rewarded for his efforts by scoring his team’s fourth try (57e) enjoying a chistera from Dupont. He finished the match at the scrum after the exit of this same Dupont.
Santiago Chocobares: 7/10
Injured for a large part of the season, he is following the same trajectory as in 2021, being extremely valuable at the end of the season. Impactful in the middle of the field, he was an obvious fixation point by constantly putting the Racing defense on the back foot. He also scraped an ultra-important ball, a few minutes before Toulouse’s second try.
Pita Ahki: 7.5/10
He was perhaps not the most recognized Toulouse player, but what a player! He was the author of a superb work on the Lebel test which he served with a magnificent high pass. Overall, he always played just to confuse the Ile-de-France team and place himself as a precise relay in the stadium attack. He tormented Finn Russell when he had the ball in his hands.
Matthis Lebel: 8/10
If he could not conclude two entry situations, because he was not perfectly served, he was one of the great men of this semi-final. He played big while being established in the absence of Juan Cruz Mallia, and responded present. Author of the first try, after a sublime race on which he beat three defenders (19e), he was also very prominent in the game, recovering several balls from pressure kicks or always offering himself in the area of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. He was finally very present in defense.
Matthis Lebel was the author of lightning breakthroughs
Romain Ntamack: 7/10
His kick pass for Matthis Lebel was a bit too long (7e) but he had seen what had to be done. If he got rid of a ball too easily in the opposing camp (15e), he always moderated wisely and, as usual, placed his partners in the best possible conditions. And, even if it’s paradoxical, he was absolutely decisive without even touching the ball on Lebel’s try thanks to his decoy run which made all the difference. It is still him who tore the curtain of Racing 92 on a race of fifty meters bringing the test of Roumat. Replaced by Tim Nanai-Williams after the hour mark.
Antoine Dupont: 7/10
He may have started his match with a direct kick in touch (2e), it didn’t waver. Admittedly, he may have sometimes carried the ball a little too much in the first half, but he has this unique ability to get out of any situation, even badly embarked. He relieved his team on foot several times and tried to set the pace when the game allowed. And the icing on the cake? This incredible and blind chistera who sent Retière to the test (57e). Great art. Replaced by Lucas Tauzin (66e).
Alexandre Roumat: 7.5/10
The Toulouse third center line was invaluable in the aerial sector, especially under the dismissals of Racing 92. He was able to improve the balls he had to play, systematically breaking the first tackle. He scored a try at the end of an incredible action (50e). But above all he made his science of the game speak to ensure continuity, in particular with a crossing.
Top 14 – Alexandre Roumat (Stade Toulousain) scored a try against Racing 92
Francois Cros: 7/10
The third wing line is still as precise as ever to provide support and thus provide a link to his team’s game. He was a poison in the ground game, allowing Toulouse to dominate in this sector and even gaining some ammunition. He was rewarded for all his efforts and his work behind the scenes with a try a few seconds before the final whistle.
Jack Willis: 8/10
What a start to the game from the English third line. He allowed Toulouse to take control of this meeting, notably with a precious scraping on the first offensive of Racing 92. At the quarter of an hour of play, he signaled himself again with a huge charge in the center of the field. It was the Toulouse forward who made the most runs with the ball (8). He was replaced by Selevasio Tolofua on the hour mark.
Emmanuel Meafou: 8/10
The second line was as always thunderous. He started the game by breaking a Racing 92 maul on a dangerous penalty. He then won all the impacts and scored a try (23e). Replaced from the 45e minute by Thibaud Flament who brought speed to the game and a bit of madness with a kick over the top on his first ball. On the same action, he pierces the defensive line to offer a decisive advance to Toulouse. He was also imperial in touch.
In the impacts, Emmanuel Meafou was once again great. Not to mention that he scored a try.
Richie Arnold: 6/10
From the second touch in favor of the Racingmen, the Australian giant stole precious ammunition. He was also penalized early in the game. Without consequence. He was replaced (59e), after being down due to a left knee injury, by Alban Placines.
Dorian Aldegheri: 7.5/10
Surprised on the first scrum of the meeting, the Toulouse right-hander then took the measure of his vis-à-vis, thus allowing his team to take the upper hand in this sector. Replaced by Charlie Faumuina (56e) after a very good match even if he hardly ever touched the ball. But he was strong on the fundamentals of his position and on collisions.
Julien Marchand: 7/10
The Toulouse hooker is an electric battery to give progress to his team even in badly embarked situations. He was invaluable behind a line-up that struggled to get clean balls. He was also decisive in defense with six tackles (best tackler on his team at the time of his exit, and still at the final whistle tied with Matthis Lebel). Replaced by Mauvaka at 52e minute.
Cyril Baille: 8/10
Cyril Baille, left pillar of Stade Toulouse against Racing 92
Very clean match from the Toulouse left-hander who was able to contain his opponent in the showdown, and even dominate him as in this first scrum of the second period, while bringing his stone to the building in the current game even if it has been used less than in certain matches this season. But with few balls, he was able to create progress, winning impacts both in the defensive and offensive sector. Replaced by Rodrigue Neti (56e).