The Bayonne-Toulouse semi-final: for Patrice Lagisquet, “One of the keys will be to prevent Toulouse from advancing”

The former international winger for Aviron Bayonnais, who scored a try in the Basque club's last semi-final in 1983, gives his analysis of the match against Toulouse in Lyon on Friday, June 20.

Former international winger Patrice Lagisquet will be following Aviron Bayonnais ' semi-final against Toulouse very closely this Friday, June 20 in Lyon (9:05 p.m.). With the eye of the high-level technician that he is (Biarritz Olympique, France XV) but also as a former player of the Bayonne club with whom he participated in the last semi-final at this level against Béziers in 1983, in Toulouse where despite a try he was unable to prevent the defeat (12-19).

He gives his technical opinion on Friday's semi-final:

"The Bayonnais are having a solid season. There's no real chance in what they're going through. There's been progress and the results have been almost constant. They're a very solid team in the basics: winning, defending, occupying. They're also very combative, relevant in their ground game. They know how to play quickly, with decisive players." "One of the keys for them will be to prevent Toulouse from advancing. And that's complicated, with the very powerful or very creative players they have. But when you see that Clermont hasn't had any crossing and that Toulon has been muzzled. The Bayonnais also have a good kicking game, which can push Toulouse back, knowing that they like to start these counterattacks, it's going to be interesting to observe." "We'll also have to see what the mental freshness and leadership of Toulouse will be. They're getting Ramos and a few players back. Will they have regained the appetite and sufficient commitment?