It's time for a reunion between RCT and Castres, for the first match of the season at Mayol

By winning their opening match away to Montpellier, the RCT got their Top 14 season off to the best possible start. But Pierre Mignoni knows this well: in this ruthless championship, the truth of one weekend isn't always the same as the next. Even less so when today's opponent is Castres Olympique, a perennial thorn in the side of French rugby's elite.

"The counters are reset. We have a match that promises to be very tough, against a team we know well," warns the director of rugby, aware of the danger that this Tarn team, surprised at home by Pau last week (15-17), can present. For the Toulon coach, there is no doubt: "This team will have a completely different face this weekend."

In fond memory of the dam

So beware of any form of arrogance: "I'm starting to know this group well. As soon as we fall a little short in terms of intentions, or even humility, we are immediately punished. That's the watchword. We don't have the right to pretend to be others. And even less so here because, at home, on our land, we're not used to being like that. Anyone who's like that won't do it." David Ribbans and his partners have been warned. And more likely twice than once.

Last season, almost a year ago to the day (September 14, 2024) and already on the second day of the championship, the Rouge et Noir had struggled for a long time against a tenacious Castres before winning in the final moments (30-28). The clash had been just as epic in the return match, in March, with a narrow defeat 28-26. Finally, if the play-off had closed with a nice gap in the score (52-23), the Var victory had taken more than an hour to take shape.

"The last three matches against them were decided in the final minutes ," Mignoni said. "Even in the play-off, we were very committed to a very difficult match."

"Looking forward to returning to the stadium"

With both squads having retained a certain backbone during the off-season, the RCT staff was able to rely on last June's decisive match in their preparation for today's duel: "I think Castres hasn't changed everything in their game. And neither has Toulon. So, of course, we're relying on those matches. But it's still a new season, with new players..."

And full-back Marius Domon continued: "There are some who will also discover what Mayol is. It's the first time we've been back there for a while. [...] I can't wait to get back to the stadium. I hope it'll be full."

A "complete" and "formidable" opponent

And while the predicted rainy weather may have put some people off, Pierre Mignoni's men must not let themselves be put off, whatever the whims of the sky.

Because the team that will face them knows how to adapt, as the RCT coach analyzes: "They are strong on the fundamentals and always hang on. It's their DNA. You have the impression that you have them, and they are still there. But they are also a team that plays good rugby, with players who have the ability to keep the ball alive, to break the lines and to play after contact. They are both physical and playful, which makes them quite complete and formidable. We will have to put them under pressure."

Given the Olympic form they displayed a few days earlier at the Septeo Stadium, Toulon seemed to have all the tools they needed. Now it's up to them to validate their new test, to prove that this successful performance wasn't just a flash in the pan.