The match hadn't even started for a minute when Gone had already raised his arms.

After a full axis kick from Charlie Ngatai, he had indeed recovered and flattened between the posts.

But the referee canceled the test after consulting the video and the Couilloud show was slightly delayed.

Because the Lyonnais N.9, small format of barely 1.75 m, then scored for good, after a good interception by his captain Jordan Taufua on a hazardous pass from Sergio Parisse.

The transformation of the opening half Leo Berdeu, also impeccable on Friday, put Lyon in the right direction (7-0, 8th).

Just before the break, Couilloud again managed a class action by quickly playing a penalty.

He moved forward, navigated the Toulon defence, slowed down for a while then accelerated again to serve Davit Niniashvili.

But a piece of the Lyon winger's shoe touched the very narrow in-goal end line at the Vélodrome and the try was again refused.

In the second period, Lou's N.9 was less in the light.

But despite a little waste, in hand and foot, he continued to guide his people, always forward and towards success.

The joy of Baptiste Couilloud (N.9) and his teammate Joel Kpoku after their success against Toulon in the final of the European Challenge in Marseille, May 27, 2022 Pascal GUYOT AFP

He was also the first to fall into the arms of Pierre-Louis Barassi on the break test (22-7, 48th) and to congratulate his forwards after an important scrum won in a Toulon highlight.

Footballer father, rugby player brother

In the last quarter of an hour, while his team was suffering and some of his teammates seemed exhausted, he also asked for the support of Lyon supporters, an ultra-minority in the stands of the Stade Vélodrome but who suddenly made themselves heard.

It must be said that Couilloud is a true Lyonnais, born in the city and trained at the club.

Lyon city of football?

At the Couillouds, not quite.

The father certainly played football, up to the third division, but it was in rugby that his two sons flourished.

Baptiste and Barnabé are indeed two N.9s, who faced each other for the first time this season in the Top 14, the little brother now playing in Biarritz.

At 24, Baptiste has therefore offered with this European Challenge a magnificent reward to his lifelong club, which is still fighting for the top 6 in the league.

Lyon scrum half Baptiste Couilloud releases the ball during the match against Toulon in Marseille, May 27, 2022 Pascal GUYOT AFP

"We are better in the shoes of the hunter," he told AFP 10 days ago, when Lyon were very far from being favorites against the Toulonnais, in great shape.

He had not lied as the rumor had not lied that the Lyonnais (8 selections), third scrum half of the France group during the Grand Slam 2022, had celebrated it with a jump in the Seine.

"Yes, it's true. I went to taste the water of the Seine," he told AFP.

To celebrate the European Challenge, there is a risk of running out of water in the Huveaune, the "river" which borders the Stade Vélodrome.

But perhaps he has planned a jump in the Old Port or better, in the Saône or the Rhône on his return home, in Lyon.

© 2022 AFP