Tommaso Menoncello's debut challenges

Tommaso Menoncello, the sole new recruit for Stade Toulousain this summer, faced difficulties during his first match at Ernest-Wallon against Bayonne, which ended in a 45-34 win for his team. Despite the victory, Menoncello's performance drew mixed reactions, with some considering him a potential candidate for both the best and worst recruit of the season.

High expectations before the match

Menoncello, a 24-year-old Italian international, was the standout player of the 2024 Six Nations tournament and was expected to bring significant strength to Stade Toulousain. His debut in the Top 14 league had already shown promise, with a notable try against La Rochelle in early September.

Struggles in the match against Bayonne

Menoncello's performance against Bayonne was marked by challenges. He struggled to make an impact, particularly in his contest with Sireli Maqala, who scored the first try of the match. Menoncello's attempts to contribute were limited, including a forward pass during a key opportunity in the second half.

Criticism and yellow card

Rugbyrama gave Menoncello the lowest rating of the match, scoring him 3/10. He was shown a yellow card for an illegal tackle on Maqala and was replaced by Kalvin Gourgues in the 59th minute. Le Figaro also criticized his defensive efforts and lack of offensive involvement, though it acknowledged that he may need more time to adapt.

Opportunity for redemption

Despite the negative assessment, Le Figaro noted that Menoncello's talent remains evident and that his performance should not be seen as definitive. The upcoming match against Exeter in the Champions Cup is seen as a chance for him to bounce back and demonstrate his true potential.