French rugby - 2022/23

[Robespierre]

The sides for tomorrow's final have been announced:

La Rochelle : 15. Dulin ; 14. Leyds, 13. Seuteni, 12. Danty, 11. Rhule ; 10. Hastoy, 9. Kerr-Barlow ; 7. Botia, 8. Alldritt (cap), 6. Pa. Boudehent ; 5. Skelton, 4. Sazy ; 3. Atonio, 2. Bourgarit, 1. Wardi.

Remplaçants : 16. Lespiaucq-Brettes, 17. Sclavi, 18. Lavault, 19. Dillane, 20. Bourdeau, 21. Berjon, 22. Favre, 23. Colombe Reazel

Toulouse : 15. Ramos ; 14. Retière, 13. Chocobares, 12. Ahki, 11. Lebel ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Cros, 8. Roumat, 6. Willis ; 5. Meafou, 4. Arnold ; 3. Aldegheri, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Remplaçants : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Neti, 18. Flament, 19. Placines, 20. Tolofua, 21. Barassi, 22. Mallia, 23. Faumuina.

As in the Premiership, the sides who finished first and second are in the final with only three points separating them.
Who will win the Brennus? You're guess is as good as mine (maybe better!). Toulouse are my local side so I'll be cheering for them in front of the television, but La Rochelle are an impressive side and few would begrudge them if they won their first title.

[Robespierre]

After 16 minutes, it’s 3-3 and nothing between the two sides.

[Robespierre]

At half time, there’s still nothing between them. 13-13.

[kpj tiger]

A very entertaining 1st half, can't La Rochelle will probably be a bit frustrated with the missed kicks and gifting Toulouse a try, they'd be well in the lead if they hadn't

[Robespierre]

La Rochelle have upped the intensity and now lead 20-16.

[kpj tiger]

Ntamack wins the game for Toulouse after being very poor for the majority of the 2nd half, gutted for La Rochelle they were the better team for the majority of the game

[Robespierre]

Ntamack wins the game for Toulouse after being very poor for the majority of the 2nd half, gutted for La Rochelle they were the better team for the majority of the game

Yes, one feels for La Rochelle who deserved to win, but a moment of brilliance from Ntamack who was indeed somewhat below his usual standard, sees Toulouse home to their 22nd title.

[Darc Tiger]

Now THAT was an epic final

[Darc Tiger]

Keeps Leinster out of the top seeds for the Champions Cup, too

[TigerFeetSteve]

Keeps Leinster out of the top seeds for the Champions Cup, too

Which means we could end up facing Leinster, La Rochelle & Stormers for example in the group stages...

[Robespierre]

Now THAT was an epic final

Agreed, DT, and the La Rochelle players must be bitterly disappointed, especially their pack who dominated from start to finish, and if Antoine Hastoy hadn't missed a couple of kicks ..........?
It's not often that a Toulouse pack comes a distant second but that was the case yesterday evening. Jack Willis, however, had an outstanding game and if Borthers was watching, he must surely have inked him in as a World Cup starter.

But it was a great match, extremely physical with no red or yellow cards, and as far as I'm aware there were no injuries, which'll be good news for the French XV.

[Rugbygramps]

Just watched the highlights some try at the end to win the game.
Love the french coverage suddenly a cut away to the outside of the stadium during play

[kpj tiger]

Now THAT was an epic final

But it was a great match, extremely physical with no red or yellow cards, and as far as I'm aware there were no injuries, which'll be good news for the French XV.

Meafou did limp off but it didn't look serious

[Robespierre]

For those of you who haven't seen the highlights of an outstanding final:

https://youtu.be/VWzj2JN7zTA

[ourla]

Just watched the whole game.

Thought it was quite attritional and error strewn tbh.

Big missed tackle lets Ntamack through and all the hard work is lost.