A major player in Toulouse’s good start to the season with already seven starts to his credit, Léo Banos (22 years old) is flourishing with Ernest-Wallon. Before the leader’s trip to Lyon on Sunday, the third row talks about his integration and his feelings.
How are you approaching the challenge that awaits you in Lyon on Sunday?
We know what awaits us: a big match. Lyon is not well positioned in the standings, it will be under pressure because it must win. Even though there will be a certain number of young people on our side, we are going there to win. We want to do everything to remain first in the championship.
After a year shuttling between Toulouse and Mont-de-Marsan, you are fully a Stade Toulouse player. How do you feel?
I am very happy to be at Stade Toulouse and to have made the leap from Pro D2 to the Top 14. The integration could only go well with the guys in this locker room. The young people are helped to perform and we are given the opportunity to play as much as possible.
With, concerning you, a first match sheet in the Champions Cup last Sunday…
It was cool to be able to play this match in Exeter. Things are going a little faster in the Champions Cup. It must be said that when you have players like in Toulouse, it’s always easier to progress at that level… It was good to be part of this great result.
You have started five of Toulouse’s last seven matches. How do you see this mark of trust?
I did a lot of training and I’m very happy with it. I compensated for the injury of François Cros who has a bit of the same style as me. I don’t worry, whatever happens. When I’m on the pitch, I give 300%. Waiting to see if the coaches give me the match afterwards… Everything goes very quickly but I am well supported. It’s easy to follow the right path at this club.
You referred to François Cros. What is your view of him?
When you watch him play, he is clean and easy in everything he does. He is impressive even though he is perceived as a shadow player. I define myself like that even if I try to come out of the shadows.
Is it easy to adapt rugby-wise to the Toulouse game? Even if, at the Stade Mons, you also had this appetite for travel…
Yes, let’s say that it’s the quality of the players that changes, above all. Stade is a team that just plays. You just have to get into this dynamic, position yourself well and it comes by itself. If you take part in this process, you give yourself the means to express yourself.
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