Comments collected in Toulouse
The public, the suspense, everything came together this Sunday against Harlequins…Alexandre Roumat: It was a great afternoon. The Stadium was full, the people from Toulouse came in large numbers, the atmosphere was incredible. We had done a lot of the work in the first half, unfortunately we had a gap… We knew that it was a team that threw the balls back from the deep field. We were not able to be sufficiently organized, sufficiently in control of our camp outings. Which meant they had ammunition to get back into the match. On two or three key actions in the second half, we were able to win this showdown.
The yellow card received by the English also helped you…Yes, of course. But I think the standoff was a little earlier. We had managed to save some ammunition that they had to use in our camp. It was hot… But the main thing is acquired, we are in the final, that’s what we wanted. We know that it was an ultra-offensive team, we saw it in this match. We can’t wait to see you in three weeks.
François Cros confided that you “almost” doubted. What do you think ? Generally speaking, I think we have an ultra-mature group which always remains quite calm even when it is ahead of the score or when the teams come back. It’s true that you also have to know how to get excited because, when you take two attempts in quick succession, you put yourself in the red. Overall, we know that when we managed to get our hands on the ball, we had control of the game. The key was not to leave them any ammunition.
We don’t feel any euphoria as if you were already focused on the final…Nothing is done, nothing is acquired. As long as you don’t win a title, there’s no point in showing off or declaring victory, knowing that we know very well that the team we’re going to face is probably what we’re going to face. doing the best at the moment. We are measured in our celebrations but obviously very proud.
Toulouse-Leinster, is it the dream final? That’s what people outside say. Like their national team and their overall domination – even if they have not won in the last two or three years – it is the most consistent team. Both teams had a perfect run. It will be an incredible final, in a stadium that is apparently magnificent.
Do you have revenge to take against them? Necessarily. In last year’s match, our indiscipline in key moments of the match cost us too much. We took 25 or 28 points in these periods of inferiority. We had this feeling of not having been far away in the moments when we were in numerical equality. And at the same time, very far, because when you take 40 points in the semi-final, there is no point. They fully deserved their victory.
