The politics of the fit man. To challenge Harlequins on Sunday (4 p.m.) in the semi-final of the Champions Cup, Ugo Mola, the manager of Stade Toulousain, chose to start the Scotsman Blair Kinghorn at full-back, rather than the French international Thomas Ramos. Consequently, it will be fly-half Romain Ntamack, back at his best after his serious knee injury, who will be the scorer for the Rouge et Noir.
The Blues opener will make a third start in the Champions Cup (after the 8th against Racing 92 and the quarter against Exeter) and will be associated at the hinge with his usual partner, Antoine Dupont. In the center, next to the essential Pita Akhi, it is Paul Costes, author of recent notable outings, who was chosen to face the Londoners.
In the pack, Thibaud Flament – who suffered a foot injury this winter – finds a starting place in the second row alongside the powerful Emmanuel Meafou. At the back, Peato Mauvaka was once again preferred to Julien Marchand in the Champions Cup. This will be Mauvaka’s sixth start in as many matches this season in the competition. No surprises in the third row with François Cros, Jack Willis and Alexandre Roumat.