Following a bonus-point 41-19 victory over Lyon in Top 14, Stade Toulousain manager Ugo Mola delivered a passionate speech defending his club against critics. The address comes after a penalty in the Jaminet affair that deducted two points from their standings. Mola urged his players to focus on rugby as their response to detractors.
Stade Toulousain dominated Lyon 41-19 on Saturday evening in Top 14, securing a bonus-point win that bolsters their status as reigning champions. On the pitch at Lyon's Matmut Stadium de Gerland, manager Ugo Mola gathered his players for a direct and emotional speech. Amid mockery and harsh criticism following a two-point deduction for the Jaminet affair – seen as lenient by some, with a criminal complaint ongoing –, Mola voiced his frustration.
"Everyone is spewing on the president, on our club, on everyone. Everyone is spewing on us!", he declared, according to witnesses. He then emphasized a collective response: "Our only way of expression is our damn rugby. We don't care about the rest. Not a word, we go home, we take the plane, we have a good Christmas and we prepare for next weekend."
This address appears to fuel psychological motivation, turning external attacks into a narrative of resilience for the three-time French champions. The backlash, heightened by the Jaminet affair earlier in the week, has not shaken Toulouse's resolve as they look toward the holidays and the championship's resumption. Antoine Dupont and teammates shone on the field, proving their point through actions rather than words.
