Baptiste Germain against Agen, November 28, 2020. -

Lionel Bonaventure / AFP

  • At the Stade Toulousain, the boss at the number 9 position is called Antoine Dupont.

  • Behind the international, often retained by the XV of France, Baptiste Germain finally emerges at the expense of Alexi Balès and Théo Idjellidaine.

  • The 20-year-old scrum-half will have the opportunity to continue this Saturday against Montpellier, in the Top 14.

A stormy departure from the Union Bordeaux-Bègles, then the Covid-19 and sporadic appearances.

Baptiste Germain's first months at the Stade Toulousain have been about as cheerful as the global atmosphere for a year.

And then, in the heart of winter, the machine started.

Since February, the young 20-year-old scrum-half has filled four Top 14 matches.

Author of a cheeky entry and very noticed during the success in La Rochelle (11-14), Germain will be called upon again on Saturday against Montpellier.

“It is a kid who came to glean recognition that he did not necessarily have in Bordeaux, comments Ugo Mola, sporting boss of the leader of the championship.

We believe in him.

He deserves to nibble more and more playing time. "

Three men for a double seat

"There is a lot of competition but today, it's me who is there, so much the better", smiles the Girondin, who touched his first rugby ball in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, on the sidelines of the Cup du monde 2007. More spontaneous than the classic Alexi Balès (30 years old), Germain is also struggling with Théo Idjellidaine, his younger brother of four months.

But when you wear the number nine at the Rouge et Noir, you are necessarily in the shadow of a certain Antoine Dupont.

“I came to Toulouse with this bet, because Antoine often joins the France team.

It's always rewarding to be behind one of the best, if not the best scrum-half in the world.

"

At the Stade, which says duplicate, like this weekend with France-Scotland, says no Dupont.

The way is therefore clear for the other scrum-backs.

"We're pulling out a bit," resumes Germain.

It's super enriching for young people like Théo and me.

Alexi has the experience and a very reassuring speech.

When we make a mistake, we tend to bow our heads.

He comes all the time to put his hand on our shoulders and tell us that it's nothing, that mistakes, we will make plenty of them.

Antoine is less in transmission, but he is still very young [24 years old].

"

Mola calls for patience

The international U20 is even more so, which did not prevent him from getting impatient at UBB, where his horizon was limited to the little exciting European Challenge.

On April 3, the much more exciting Champions Cup will return to the stadium side: a delicate round of 16 for the Irishmen of Munster.

With Germain on the bench, to support the indispensable Dupont who will make his return to the club?

Our Top 14 file

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Maybe, even if Mola is staring a little further into the horizon.

“Baptiste is listening, he is intelligent but he still has a lot of steps to take to be in a little less than a pair of seasons someone who will count a lot at Stade Toulousain.

"

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