“How do you feel about your players heading into this final?
I don’t really know how to describe them anymore as they are both in phase with the events that they are capable of playing out, in phase with their generation and disconcerting as such events approach. Sometimes, playfulness, lightness and carefreeness always take over a little because we approach it like a game and an incredible chance to find ourselves there.
What does Leinster’s team composition with a six-two bench inspire you?
I don’t know. Perhaps for the first time Leinster have adapted to us, and we a little less to them. They have already achieved this against opponents known to be strong up front. Most certainly, they put us on the same level as teams like La Rochelle up front. It is obvious that modern rugby, it is always a bit common to say, is played at 23 with the bench being constituted to finish the match which is almost identical in importance to that of starting it.
Do you feel a lot of trust within your group?
The two teams are rather in a positive dynamic. In this type of competition, you don’t get to the end without triggering positive dynamics. The approach and their ability to understand these kinds of events, despite the young age of some, allow us to have this ability to fully experience these events. I have had enormous confidence in this group since the start of the season. We feel like we’ve experienced four in one. Everyone feels good, is happy to see each other and wants to spend time together. We’re not forcing ourselves and I hope that will be reflected in the results of the weekend.
Was the choice to put Thomas Ramos on the bench with the tenure of Blair Kinghorn difficult?
It’s never nice to take out players who are just as deserving of starting or playing in these kinds of events. Afterwards, we quickly shorten the choice of men to the person who starts but it is more of a general balance. Perhaps Thomas was competing with more than just Blair Kinghorn. It is this emulation that we try to have and to have a very efficient team at the end of the game. When you have fun watching the last finals, they are not played with the Longchamp straight. They end with two or three points difference. The scorer that Thomas represents will be able to serve us or at least bring us his experience at the end of the match.
“Thomas (Ramos) will be able to bring us his experience at the end of the match”
Leinster has had little success in recent years in the semi-finals. Did you feed off these defeats in 2019, 2022 and 2023?
Already, it’s a final, we are no longer on the semi-final field. We are on neutral ground and not in Leinster. These are the arguments which could lead us to be rather optimistic. Opposite, it will be an incredible opponent, the Irish team with 90% of its workforce. We no longer present them with this ability to play together and a competition (the URC) which is somewhat formatted for their rhythm. But we focus on us.
We evolved our approach so as not to think that we were going to have a different result with the same ingredients. We changed certain things, notably on the team composition to be more consistent throughout the match. We also got closer to the refereeing world with Mathieu Raynal who came this week to give us the opportunity not to lose the match due to indiscipline and things that could escape us. We tried to control as many parameters as possible. We know that we can only count ourselves. We really want to play this match.
Do you, like your Leinster counterpart Leo Cullen, believe that the two teams have many similarities?
Like their team composition, they most certainly adapted to the circumstances and the team they encountered. They have been shining in Ireland for some time. We, I don’t know if we shine but we have been present for some time at the very high French and European level. There are a lot of similarities. We’re going to decide between a tenth star. It remains to be seen which way it will fall.
I also believe that we are the two clubs that play the most players in a season. Yes, there are a lot of similarities, notably the stability of the staff even if they have a new head coach who has arrived (Jacques Nienaber). Many things bring us together but also a few things that differentiate us. I hope we can show it tomorrow (Saturday).
“We are going to decide between a tenth star. It remains to be seen on which side it will fall.
Stade Toulousain has won its last seven finals in all competitions. How do you explain such success? Is it just a question of state of mind?
You have to ask Real Madrid the question. I don’t know. We had this chance on the last four with totally different profiles and contexts. From there to thinking that we are more eligible to win, I’m not sure. But this group has the capacity to respond in these final matches. They have all gained maturity and experience. It is a young generation which has proven itself during the last finals and which will soon experience an eleventh semi-final (in the Top 14). But we are not assured of anything at the high level. We must not trivialize these eleven semi-finals, it is a lot, a lot of work from this group who does not give up. Beyond his carefree side, he always remains competitive and competitive. »
