Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain fullback, French champion and winner of the Champions Cup): “Winning a title has a special flavour, but doing the double is even more so. It’s double joy, double satisfaction, double happiness. A month ago, we came for the European Cup. It wasn’t planned. But we said to ourselves that it would be a shame if we didn’t manage to win the Top 14, not to come.
We are very happy to come back this (Saturday) evening, to show the two trophies at the Capitol. It’s rare. You have to enjoy it, savor it. We have a huge audience behind us, a city that eats rugby, that speaks rugby, that lives rugby. We must, out of respect for our supporters, be there for them, and simply thank them.
There is no doubt that next year, the teams will come back with a lot of ambition to be able to take away our two titles. It will be up to us to continue working as we do so well to defend them as best we can. We’re happy to be on vacation because, casually, it’s been a very long year. We know that we can relax, sit in a chair and enjoy the moment. »
Thibaud Flament (Stade Toulousain second row): “We are used to it here but we have to know how to savour the moments we experience here each time. They are always special moments and it is a pleasure to come here. It is great to be able to share this with all the supporters.
Every year, things are revisited. Things have been going well for us for a few seasons now. But we know that while we work, there are other teams who are inspired, who progress, who work hard and who try to get to the forefront. You always have to be ready to answer that.
“At the start of the season, there are almost every argument to say that if we don’t do anything at the end, it’s understandable (…) And we end the year with two titles”
It’s exceptional. In the end, at the beginning of the season, there are almost all the arguments to say that if we don’t do anything at the end, it’s understandable. We have injuries, a World Cup with lots of players who are not available for a while, and we finish the year with two titles. It shows the great character, the good state of mind, the work of the staff and all the players. It’s a great reward.
We had already let off some steam after the European Cup. We really enjoyed ourselves. But it’s true that we were keen to finish the season on a positive note and not spoil the end of the season with a defeat. We didn’t sleep much. We celebrated with all the guys, the club employees, the partners. We’re going to enjoy a few days before going on holiday.”
Ange Capuozzo (back of Stade Toulousain): “For the group, for the club, it’s a unique moment. Having this crowd when arriving, seeing all these supporters come for us, it gives a reason for everything we do.
The last try in the final against UBB? It’s incredible because it shows our state of mind and our playing identity. It describes a bit of everything we’ve done this season. It’s also nice to be able to all take part in the party, to be at the level. It’s incredible to end the season in this way. I admit that I only had one idea, it was to go there and finish the action. I had the in-goal line in my sights. I had to go there.
“The season has been very long (…) It’s tiring. That’s why we need to reward ourselves for all our efforts.”
It’s quite an adrenaline shot. I discussed it a lot with my family afterwards, but for about half an hour after the final, I had the feeling of being knocked out, of having my eyes in a fog because of the atmosphere was unbelievable. The Stade-Vélodrome makes noise when everyone gets going. It was an incredible moment.
The season has been very long. We started the summer preparation for the World Cup on July 4th. For my part, I leave again on Monday with Italy on tour, so I’m not on vacation yet. But it’s exhausting. That’s why we need to reward ourselves for all this effort.”
