If rugby is more used to matches on Sunday afternoon, it is precisely not to clutter a program already loaded that the Rodez Rugby preferred on Saturday evening to receive Negrepelisse, on May 3.
“Paul-Lignon under the spotlight, it’s going to be cool. We have to materialize it, for everyone”smiled at the Ruthenian center Matthias Christophe after the 32nd round, in Negrepelisse Sunday April 27. A first round widely controlled by the Sang et Or, which won 15-49 and took a more than comfortable lead to approach the return meeting. A second round that will take place… Saturday May 3 (8:30 p.m.).
Three reasons
This schedule is rather unusual in amateur rugby, but it is precisely to quench the thirst of its aficionados and avoid them a little frustration that the Rodez Rugby chose this option. “There are three reasons, states Thomas Lacombe, President Ruthenian. First, Sunday at 3 p.m., Decazeville receives (Casteljaloux) in dams. Then at 4 p.m., there is the European Cup semi-final between Bordeaux and Toulouse. And the third reason, the most important for us: at 3 p.m., our reserve team will play its 16th finals (d’Excellence B) to Gramat. “
The players of the pennant team, as well as the leaders and volunteers will thus be able to make the trip to the lot to accompany the B, which will rub the Isle-sur-Vienne reserve … whose team one could find that of Rodez in the 16th finals, according to the results of the weekend.
But before that, the Ruthenians have a night match to orchestrate, with a festive before and after-match (catering and music from 5:45 p.m. on the Stade forecourt). As for the crowds, the club relies on “2000-2500 spectators”even if Thomas Lacombe adds: “We have noticed in recent days that people say to us:” We will come to see you for the 16ths! “And we tell them that we are not sure to be there.”
If they remain cautious, the Ruthenians have already done a large part of the work for the 16th. “If we qualify, we think, today, 80 % come back to a match on Sunday (for the return, because Rodez to the advantage of the best classified). Knowing that we would have a little hindsight to organize it since we would have a rest weekend and that of the first leg. “
