RC Vannes will finally get down to business. After celebrating their Pro D2 title, the Bretons, all euphoric, said they were eager to discover the Top 14, a first in their history. And once the preparation is over, the tactical plans worked on, the season restarts in two days for the Vannetais who face the Toulouse ogre.
But there is no question of putting themselves under enormous pressure against the two-time reigning French champions, who are aiming for a historic third consecutive Brennus Shield. “The season will not be decided by the reception of Toulouse. I don’t know if in the future we will have direct opponents for survival. But if we do, it will not be Toulouse. This first match will not be a battle for survival,” Jean-Noël Spitzer played down at a press conference. The RC Vannes coach also admitted that he would prefer to host Dupont’s gang at La Rabine rather than a team more within their reach, at the start of the season.
“The challenge will be difficult”
Since the change from 16 to 14 teams in the Top 14 (in 2005), 16 of the 31 promoted teams have managed to string together at least a second season in the French elite, i.e. more than one team in two. And since the 2017 reform, staying up is more accessible with a 13th place that no longer relegates directly, but sends them to a play-off match against the losing Pro D2 finalist. Last season, Montpellier were particularly happy that this new rule existed, as Arthur Vincent’s teammates snatched their staying up against Grenoble (20-18).
Even though direct relegation to Pro D2 only concerns the 14th and last place, Jean-Noël Spitzer remains clear-sighted about his club’s current situation and knows the adversity in the Top 14. “We are promoted teams who have never known the elite. We are by far the smallest payroll. I think the challenge will be difficult. But, we know our objectives, we are pragmatic too. Our chances of fighting for survival are low, but not non-existent, I am convinced of that,” he said. “Now, we can clearly see that there is a huge gap between Pro D2 and the Top 14.”
The Vannes coach plans to make an initial assessment after nine days of the championship and the match against USA Perpignan, in order to gain a clearer picture of this season where the RC Vannes players are diving into the unknown.
- RMC Sport
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