Toulouse can qualify for a 27th French domestic final with a semi-final victory over La Rochelle at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique on Saturday the 8th of June,
Toulouse v La Rochelle
8 June 21h00
Stade Matmut-Atlantique
To Win
Toulouse 1/4
Draw 25/1
La Rochelle 11/4
Les rouge et noir have been phenomenal this season, winning 21 of their 26 matches to top the overall standings and host the first of this weekend’s last four clashes.
They were competitive in this year’s Champions Cup campaign too, before eventually losing out to Leinster 30-12 in the semi-final. Their electrifying ball in hand approach has led to many likening this current team to the legendary Toulouse sides of old, during periods in which the club established itself as the dominant force in France as well as Europe.
Standing in their way is a plucky La Rochelle outfit that upset Racing 92 19-13 in last week’s semi-final qualifier. While the latter may have lost twice to Toulouse already this season, they will realize that anything is possible in finals footy. They will start the match as overwhelming underdogs; a tag that could work in their favor.
Key for the visitors will be nullifying the space of a certain Cheslin Kolbe, with the diminutive Bok winger having been a shining light for his club since signing for them in 2017. The forward battle is also set to be colossal, though one would expect Toulouse to dominate this exchange.
Verdict: Toulouse 1/4
While La Rochelle have played some good rugby so far, they’d be hard-pressed to beat a Toulouse side hungry to add to their record 19 titles. The home team should earn a comfortable victory.
Written by Shaun Goosen
