After signing the first elite victory in their history against Lyon last weekend, the Bretons travel to RC Toulon this Saturday. With a reshuffled workforce.
A historic first. From its third match in the Top 14. By dominating Lyon, which had scored two entry successes this season, RC Vannes offered itself, Saturday in an incandescent La Rabine stadium, the first success in its history in the elite (30-20). After the logical setback against the ogre Toulouse (18-43) and the nice defensive bonus point brought back from Paris (34-31), the Bretons had checked this third match in their battle plan. The maintenance operation – impossible according to some – is truly launched.
“This meeting was not crucial, but it was very important because it allowed us to validate certain things, advances manager Jean-Noël Spitzer, who was honored Monday during Rugby Night with the prize for best staff of the last Pro D2 season. That is to say, confronting the players with what needs to be done to achieve a result. The minimum level to have, I think we had it on Saturday.”
And to remain careful: “With this level, we could have lost too, since it came down to two or three blocks. But, at least the players know to play at these levels of intensity and alertness. The key to the season will be the players’ ability to progress. It’s important to have these benchmarks that allow us to work again behind them.”
The big difference compared to the Pro D2 is in the individualities. Speed of execution, depth of squad
Jean-Noel Spitzer
Le Petit Poucet of the Top 14, the smallest budget of the elite (€20 million) who had to hastily prepare for his rise this summer, experienced no delay in lighting. Express adaptation. “We, the staff, are not surprised. I think some players were really surprised by the speed of execution, explains the Vannes technician. This is the big difference with the Pro D2. It is not the collective project nor the truly collective organization. That’s not what I perceive. The big difference is in individualities. The speed of execution, the depth of the squad too. Even when playing players who are number 2 or 3 in their position in Toulouse, we saw extremely dominant players. At the top of the table in the top 14, there is a density in each club which is incredible.
The hard part begins. With three trips to come (Toulon, Montpellier, Clermont) for the only reception of Racing 92. “It’s important to win but what’s also important, for the staff, is that we stay within our strategy, involving as many players as possible. We must have these rotations accepted,” underlines Jean-Noël Spitzer who will rotate his squad against Toulon.
“For Saturday’s match, it will be an important rotation, he confirms. Players must quickly discover this competition. Some haven’t played yet. To be able to rebalance things gradually and if we want to exploit our margin for progress, all the players must be involved in the project, in training. Some people have to play from time to time. There is a need for competition, for players to feel involved. Even if sometimes we won’t bring the most experienced or dense team to a match, they know that they are an integral part of the project.
Considering the deadlines, the timing, the budget, when you recruit in mid-June, we couldn’t do better. It’s rather a success on our part
Jean-Noel Spitzer
Another point of satisfaction, even if the season has barely started: the contribution of the recruits. “We have no disappointments, appreciates the Breton manager. We know that some older people have less room for maneuver than others. But, among the youngest, there is room for progress too. Even though they are relatively young players, they are still capable of progressing. Considering the deadlines, the timing, the budget, when you recruit in mid-June, we couldn’t do better. It’s quite a success on our part.”
Also readTop 14: Breton pride, Celtic atmosphere, cathedral silence… The fervor in Vannes leaves a lasting impression
A great success which frustrates Jean-Noël Spitzer a little. Central character of the Vannes project, the one who has been at the club for 20 years, who has known everything with the RCV, is still suspended after an incident during an anti-doping control during a match against Biarritz Olympique last March (he had refused to release his players during a pre-match briefing). He therefore experiences these historic matches from afar, in the background. “It’s not stress, I’m just pissed off, he blurted, bitter. A shorter experience would have been better, I would have liked some reprieve. I’ll have to wait a little longer, I have two games left (suspension). I find myself all alone, without my staff, without my players. I’m being patient. I know I don’t have much impact on the game. Fortunately, my staff is experienced. He has a perfect handle on things…”
