Racing 92 is an opponent who is “never easy to beat in the final phase”, warned Stade Toulousain coach Ugo Mola on Sunday about the upcoming clash between the two teams in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup. Author of an impeccable 20/20 in the group stage after his fourth improved victory in a row against the English of Bath on Sunday (31-19), the five-time European champion will have to dismiss the Ile-de-France residents, to hope to benefit from a table which ensures that he will also receive in the event of qualification in the quarter-finals.
“To think further than Racing would be to take ourselves for others” Mola quickly cut off before estimating that “at the start of the season, they are a scarecrow in the championship”. Racing is in fact leader of the Top 14 currently. “They only won one match in our Champions Cup group, but nothing is decided in advance,” insisted Mola, who predicted a “strategic match”.
Winner of its four matches in the first phase, Toulouse will host the Ile-de-France residents on April 6 or 7. Coincidentally with the calendar, the two teams will meet next weekend on the Racing synthetic pitch, for the 13th day of the Top 14.
