essential
National-semi-final. Pure product of the Carcassonnaise training, the third line that became captain in his heart club, played a pro D2 dam in Nevers in 2022, before evolving two seasons at the MHR and now under the Biterrois colors. Clément Doumenc will obviously be in the spans of the Sports Park this Saturday evening (7 p.m.) for the semi-final between the Racing Club Narbonnais and the US Carcassonne. Interview.
The last derby in Narbonne
What did you think of this last Carcassonnaise victory on April 12 in Narbonne (13-17)? Surprising?
No. I especially think that the two teams are very close to each other. Knowing that Narbonne had won in the first leg at the foot of the city, I knew that Carca would be keen to do it again. And in addition, when I saw the weather, I was rather happy and rather confident. I had brought my teammates from Béziers. There was Charly Malié, Sam Marques, Hans Nkinsi, Youssef Amrouni, Damien Anon, Pierre Gayraud, Paul Recor, Marco Trauth, Baptiste Abescat … We were a package.
In yellow and black?
(Laughs) There were a few traitors who were for Narbonne … But personally, I was in yellow and black.
His memories of the derby
What do you keep of your last derbies against Narbonne?
These are always great memories. Standing matches because these are derbies, real derbies Audois … The big club which was and which is Narbonne which moves in the prefecture or vice versa, these are beautiful posters, in full stadiums. And that’s what’s nice. There are still great matches to play with territorial supremacy which is important, especially for the guys of the vintage on each side.
Do you have any significant facts of derbies that you played against Narbonne?
I remember one in Crabos where a good pair of generals had gone. But we had lost. After, the two of the year we qualify for the dam in Nevers (saison 2021-2022)but not for the same things. One because the Domec stadium was full like an egg, we had never seen it like that (victory 31-10), and in Narbonne where we win (22-27), I mark and I make a big match. You still have to know that if in the category of young people, I have never beaten Narbonne, on the other hand in professional, I have never lost. I make one three in three (52-17 on March 16, 2018 at home, editor’s note).
Does a derby under its training colors more important than another disputed with Montpellier or Béziers for example?
In Montpellier, you invent yourself a little derby … Then the derby never has as much values as when you cheat it with your club. Especially when you come from the vintage. I think it would also be necessary to ask the question to Paul Belzons who will play him in addition on Saturday frankly, it is not comparable. Unless you soak up the club’s culture. But so that it really matters, you have to stay there for a while and feel around a little what is and what people expect to really understand the value of a derby.
His gaze on this semi-final
As a player, do we necessarily think of the cruel scenario last year?
As Carcassonnais, when you see the physiognomy of the semi-final, the latter mixed … And then this match that you lose in the end and that for me we steal you halfway, you say to yourself, I hope there will be a nice revenge on Saturday. From the outside, I still have the balls. I still have it. So I say to myself, from the inside, those who have experienced the match … You have to use it as lever for even more, if ever there was a little desire, but I doubt it even more. Also remember that in addition is a semi-final and that the goal is to go in Pro D2. Finally, do not forget either that last year, it was the Narbonnais who spoiled the dream too.
Is this a match that you would like to play?
(Laughs) I still wrote to Romain (Guyot, editor’s note)not later that two hours ago (Monday) : “Damn, I would pay dear to play this one!”
In your opinion, did the rain that had been invited three weeks ago for the return match had a big impact?
Large, I don’t know. But for me, that had one bus at first glance, Carcassonne it has always been deemed strong in front, the balloons worn, the scrum, a good conquest, but less player behind. And on the other hand Narbonne, it’s a bit of the opposite. So it’s true that when you see the weather, you say to yourself, the USC likes it. They like scrap, being in the mud. A simple match but rustling, it will go well. And besides, that’s what we saw on the match. This is what happened. But hey, afterwards, I think it will still be a different match. And regardless of the weather, because it’s a semi-final too and not a lambda championship match. I think that this time, it will be less important and that the two teams will be more than ready.
From the outside, how did you live this regular USC season?
Jagging. With first a first staff, where it played well, but at times, and others a little less. Then there was this ejection of the staff precisely before the derby go. We all worried. And then behind, the derby defeat … We were a bit in the blur, a little lost. Then the arrival of a guy like Bernard Goutta, what is said from the inside, a good technician, a great professional, a guy who has known only the high level and who does a lot of good. He knew how to give time, distribute the cards a little in the team, give everyone playing time to create a group, an emulation and chain the victories in order to finish on the podium, when it was not won on the first leg. I look forward to the outcome of the season … as late as possible, I hope.
How do you see this third Carcassonne-Narbonne act this season?
Personally, and as Carcassonnais, it’s hard to be fully objective. I already think it will be a super engaged meeting, super tight. I think the Narbonnais have a small advantage that they receive this semi-final. Then they will also have a little more freshness. Because one more week without playing a high intensity match, as Carcassonne was able to play it against Albi. Especially since it hit anyway. Afterwards, I think they are a little diminished. They lack a few frames. But beware, Narbonne has a big workforce depth and that will necessarily mean anything. Because that’s not everything. It’s a team, a collective. I look forward to it.
His prognosis
What would be your prognosis for the final?
I’m going to say Carcassonne, necessarily. On the other side, it will be very hard too. I would put a small room on Rouen, because the Normans were not far from winning in Chambéry two months ago (37-20 defeat). Then I think they are scheduled for the final stages. So I’m going to say Rouen, even if I am afraid that with these extensions played in Périgueux in dams, they lack freshness … Come on, I’m going to say Carcassonne-Rouen in the final.
The level of the national
How do you judge this national? Is it well below the pro D2 level?
Objectively, yes. It’s unfortunate to say, but there is a ditch. I still find it a level below. Already, not all clubs are professional. Now on a match, anything is possible. We saw it last year in access-match with Narbonne-Montauban (19-20). There are a few clubs which, by strengthening a little, could largely do the Bas-Milieu de Tableau de Pro D2. I think of Rouennais, if tomorrow they go up. With a few recruits, without problem, it will be at Aurillac or Nice, largely. I think the same for Carcassonne and Narbonne, even Chambéry. The SOC is very strong, but I do not know why, for me, they would exist less, because they do not have this experience, these players who have known the pro D2. As much as it is Rouen, Carcassonne or Narbonne, there are at least half of the workforce, if not more, which has known this level. You go to Chambéry, so beware, they have great players, and that does not mean that they do not have the level of the pro D2, but they do not have the experience.
