It’s a tremendous shock that awaits the Pierre-Fabre public on Saturday evening. A titanic opponent, the stakes, the stars… Rugby like an early Christmas present!
Union Bordeaux-Bègles, the CO’s next opponent, is undoubtedly the Top 14 team which has progressed the most over the last five years. From a team that purred its rugby in the soft underbelly of the Top 14, it has become a war machine; the only one to have managed to get involved in the fratricidal struggle between Toulouse and La Rochelle within the single pool in recent seasons. Yes, without offense to anyone, and even if the Gironde starting XV will be reviewed, it is indeed a team from the top 3 in Europe which will come and challenge the CO at Pierre-Fabre on Saturday evening. It is not the Leicester Tigers or Ulster, atomized by the UBB on the European front over the last fortnight, who will say the opposite. What could be better as we approach the holidays and end the calendar year? Olympic Castres sees this as a magnificent opportunity to join mid-season in a gala match. A match which should allow Jeremy Davidson’s team to remain undefeated on home soil this season, which would allow the CO to keep its ambitions of qualifying within the top 6 intact.
Quentin Walcker, the Castres left pillar, is very motivated by the idea of taking on this formidable team while being aware that this match marks a turning point in the season: “We have a huge match to play. We are very excited about the idea of playing it knowing the quality of the opposition and the rugby they produce. Behind, UBB has a pretty incredible movement game. We are well aware. We can name a bunch of guys who are all very dangerous. Their three-quarter line is impressive, regardless of the players lined up.
However, the pillar wants to play down the issues of this meeting. “This match is important but losing would not be a setback, in this championship, everything is always recoverable. But here it is, it is very important for us to finish the year well and to offer a nice gift to our fans.”
A left-hander in great shape
Quentin Walcker will finish a full first half of the season which saw him assert himself on the left of the scrum. After a last season where he was handicapped by some physical problems, Quentin Walcker has now returned in full possession of his physical means, to the point of having become the left-hander most often started this season. “It feels really good to feel free from your physical problems and to flourish. With my wife, we have found the right balance. This year I want to continue to flourish and bring to the team What pleases me the most? Seeing my teammates come and pat me on the back and say: “Merci !” It’s my greatest reward.”
After this shock, the Tarnais will have to manage a delicate trip to Bayonne before hosting the Pau Section. So exciting!
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