Racing Metro and Toulouse promise full-on clash in Hong Kong
It's not just an exhibition game for visiting French teams
It will be an exhibition game in name only with French Top 14 rugby union clubs Racing Metro and Toulouse promising a right royal "melee" when they clash for the Natixis Cup at Aberdeen Stadium on Saturday.
"Even though there are no points up for grabs, it will be a competitive game for sure, especially with players pushing for their places in the squad looking ahead to the rest of the season. This is always the case in an international squad," said Ronan O'Gara, assistant coach of Racing Metro.
Hong Kong fans are in store for a full-on exhibition of inventive rugby with both teams promising to showcase the French game at its best. Toulouse have the edge on their Paris-based opponents, having beaten them 30-6 in their only meeting this season, and this first-ever clash of two French teams in Hong Kong will offer Racing Metro the chance to get even, while keeping in mind the bigger picture of being ambassadors for the French game.
"It's an opportunity for two of the big clubs in France to showcase their game around the world," O'Gara said. "From a players' point of view, it's a broken season in France so it's nice for the players to play a game, an intense game and hopefully be rewarded."
Four-time European champions Toulouse enter Saturday's match in third place in the French standings (Racing Metro are eighth) and with a win over their opponents already hold the high ground. But coach Guy Noves is not taking anything for granted.
"This game will be tough rugby because it is against Racing and we know very well that they play every game to win … for us it also preparation for the next game in the Top 14 on the following weekend, so it's a very important week," Noves said.