To close the first day of the Top 14, this Sunday, September 8, Vannes welcomes the reigning French champion Toulouse to its lair in La Rabine.
A new year, and new goals in this Top 14. Promoted to the elite for the first time, Vannes is aiming, as is customary, to stay in the upper echelons. Toulouse, for its part, is looking to make another mark on the history of national rugby. The two-time defending champion is aiming for a third national crown. A feat that has never been achieved since rugby became professional.
For this, Stade Toulousain will once again be counting on its stars with the inevitable Antoine Dupont at the head of this group. The Olympic rugby 7s champion has returned full-time to the Rouge et Noir. For his star, Ugo Mola has come up with a plan to push him to his limits: “He’s got ants in his pants. He wants to be exposed a little somewhere other than his scrum-half position. There’s the number 10 position, but today Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack are leading the way. Antoine, at centre, and especially at 13, wants to be able to try a few games.” A risky choice? The coach doesn’t believe it: “A scrum-half must have a good pass, a fly-half must manage his tempo, his team and his kicking game, and a full-back must be good under high balls, etc. But once you have balanced that, the most important thing is to have the right players on the pitch.” With a late restart, the flagship of French rugby will still be spared for this trip.
Against the Toulouse stars, RC Vannes wants to rely on its enthusiasm, its La Rabine crowd and on the notion of work as fly-half Maxime Lafage explains: “There is no “star” here. It is a collective force that is there, in place. That’s my feeling when I arrived here: it works a lot, it works perhaps more than in some big clubs, whether it’s at the staff level, at the player level. That’s what will make us shine this year. It’s our collective strength, to make this club shine, which deserves it so much.”
As part of this 1st day of the championship, the Top 14 offers a clash between the Pro D2 champion and the French champion: Vannes – Toulouse. The kick-off for this game will be at 9:05 p.m.
As is the case for all Top 14 matches, you will have one single choice to watch this Vannes – Toulouse. This match will be broadcast by Canal. You will therefore have to tune in to Canal +.
To follow Vannes – Toulouse streaming on your smartphone, computer or tablet you will have only one choice. That of subscribing to a 100% digital subscription to MyCanal which will allow you to join Canal +.
- The starting XV of Vannes: 15. Duplenne; 14. Rayasi, 13. Arrate, 12. Saili, 11. Nakosi; 10. Lafage, 9. Ruru; 7. Edwards, 8. Kalamafoni, 6. Gorrissen (cap.); 5. Bresler, 4. Metz; 3. Medrano, 2. Leafa, 1. Vunipola.
- Toulouse starting XV: 15. Ramos; 14. Capuozzo, 13. Costes, 12. Ahki, 11. Kinghorn; 10. Ntamack, 9. Graou; 7. Willis, 8. Roumat, 6. Cros; 5. Flament, 4. Arnold; 3. Aldegheri, 2. Merchant (cap.), 1. Neti.
- Winamax: Vannes (4.30) – Draw (26.00) – Toulouse (1.20).
- Betclic: Vannes (4.20) – Draw (25.00) – Toulouse (1.20).
- Unibet: Vannes (4.20) – Draw (25.00) – Toulouse (1.20).