Toulouse 39-33 Bordeaux-Begles
Toulouse needed extra time to shake of the threat of Union Bordeaux Bègles and retain their Top 14 title at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Stade Toulousain
Union Bordeaux BèGles
Jelonch (30'), Willis (38', 44')
Tries
Penaud (34'), Jalibert (41'), Petti (69')
Ramos (31', 39', 45')
Conversions
Lucu (35', 42', 69')
Ramos (4', 20', 55', 63', 95', 100')
Penalties
Lucu (2', 8', 26', 80')
Toulouse needed extra time to shake of the threat of Union Bordeaux Bègles and retain their Top 14 title at the Stade de France on Saturday.
After the teams finished an intense 80 minutes tied at 33 apiece, it was France fullback Thomas Ramos who made the difference with two penalties and the only points of extra time in a repeat of the 2024 final.
Bordeaux had already deposed Toulouse as European champions after beating them in the Investec Champions Cup semifinals, but Toulouse’s experience and determination stopped UBB from taking their Top 14 crown as well.
Toulouse needed to win the match twice. They appeared set to claim victory after 80 minutes, but Maxime Lucu had ice in his veins to kick a tricky penalty and draw his side level.
The failed to fashion any openings in extra time, and Ramos needed no second invitation when penalties came his way.
FAMILIAR FOES
The teams’ familiarity was apparent in the early exchanges. Both sets of forwards tried to make a dent in the opposing defence and generally failed to generate the momentum their stellar backlines wanted.
Ramos and Lucu swapped penalties before Lucu’s third put Bordeaux back in front. Lucu’s second on nine minutes meant that Bordeaux had already improved on their three points from 2024 when they lost 59-3.
Toulouse hooker Julien Marchand appeared to have squirmed over after a powerful catch and drive, but after the Television Match Official (TMO) intervened it was clear he lost control of the ball as he dived for the line.
The defending champions had a penalty though and tried again. This time they moved the ball and Anthony Jelonch hit a strong line to cross.
It didn’t last long and UBB retaking the lead came through one man – Damien Penaud – a winner with Clermont Auvergne in 2017 – and a man on nine Top 14 tries.
IF IN DOUBT, FIND PENAUD
First came his powerful carry to put the Toulouse defence on the backfoot and then came him swooping on Lucu’s grubber behind the Toulouse defence to score his 99th professional try.
Tom Willis knocked on as Toulouse sought a way back, but from another penalty they went with the maul and this time the flanker left no doubt as halftime arrived
It only took UBB two minutes to regain the lead and it was that man Penaud who led the charge.
First, he hammered the Toulouse attack from kick off that stopped them building momentum and forced a penalty. Then he took the attack to the line, and soon after Matthieu Jalibert ran in unopposed.
Toulouse managed to find some continuity, and Willis went over for number two. Ramos kicked his third penalty to extend the lead.
The camera kept panning to Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the Bordeaux bench. He had passed a concussion protocol but came off just after halftime having offered little threat. How they would have loved the fully fit version available.
CHAMPS ON TOP
Ramos stretched the lead to 10 points with another penalty, and just like that the defending champs were on top.
Passes stuck, balls bounced the right way, and they found a variety of ways to breach the Bordeaux rearguard.
But back came Bordeaux. Guido Petti rounded off a multi-phase attack on his last match before heading to Harlequins. They threatened again, and Lucu didn’t think twice when given a late penalty.
The intensity didn’t drop in extra time, and Ramos nudged Toulouse ahead. They then pinched a lineout, but the France fullback flung a pass forward as he tried to find Mattis Lebel on the wing.
Bordeaux had one last attack, but coughed up a penalty with the clock nearing the red. Ramos wasn’t going to miss and title 24 was on its way to Toulouse.