Thousands of supporters of the Toulouse stadium braved the orange heat wave to reserve on Sunday to book a thunderous reception for their players, winners the day before the Union Bordeaux-Bègles (39-36) and Champions de France for the third time in a row.
They were still a little less numerous than last year, and it was not so much the absence of double that played, but rather the blazing sun and the 36 ° C in the shade. “Badded? Oh there, no never! », Rest assured Jonathan, jersey on his back and stadium flag in hand. “They can win ten times in a row, we will always be there!” »»
In anticipation of the hot weather, the town hall asked its agents to spray the crowd by means of a water cannon pointed out towards the sky, agents who did not deprive themselves of also misting the players, hilarious, on their bus in the imperial.
Civil protection had also installed two advanced rescue stations on each side of the square, provided with around twenty rescuers and an ambulance ready to leave. At 5:00 p.m., they had already recorded a dozen heat -related discomfort.
In the Capitol’s Salle des Illustres, where the team was welcomed by the mayor and a flanked VIP under the painted ceilings and golden moldings, the water pitches have for once been robbed faster than the champagne flutes. And you could see the hooker Peato Mauvaka, injured since the end of April, languidly embrace a fan.
Earlier, the players had been welcomed at the station by a hedge of honor that formed several hundred fans who ovationed Thomas Ramos, author of a capital performance on Saturday evening.
“Seeing that we are able to make a hat -trick in Top 14, when we know the harshness of this championship is exceptional,” said the latter to the press.
Faced with the UBB, the Toulousains showed a flawless determination, drawing resources from defeat against the same opponents in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup.
“We had to go at least defending our title,” said the Toulouse back. “Tuesday, Thursday, our training was incredible, there was crazy energy. And I believe that just with the eyes that we were throwing each other, we knew we were there. »»
After an hour of communion with their supporters – “it was really a magnificent atmosphere”, launched, stars in the eyes, amber -, the red and black went back to their bus and left around three days of well -deserved rest in Spain.
“Bravo to the whole team to have the resources, year after year, to continue to be at the level at which we are (…) What we do, it is not trivial, you have to know how to say it, it’s huge,” said Ramos, in a hurry to take “a little rest, because we started the season until now ago, so it shoots everywhere. But I am sure that we will come back as motivated as in the years spent. »»
