In April 2001, Jean Bouilhou, then 22 and the eldest of a promising young generation including Frédéric Michalak, Clément Poitrenaud, and Nicolas Jeanjean, asserted his dominance for Stade Toulousain. During the quarter-final match against Usap at the Stadium on May 26, 2001, which Stade Toulousain won 20-15, Bouilhou was named man of the match. He described the intensity of the game as unprecedented, admitting he suffered greatly from the impacts and clearances, a sentiment validated by teammate Didier Lacroix. Bouilhou's exceptional performance as an flanker, despite a lack of weight for his preferred position at number 8, earned him widespread acclaim, and he went on to win his first Brennus Shield two matches later.