the essential
Starting twice this season, Joël Merkler has always been away. The pillar, present this Thursday at a press conference, is considering the trip to Lyon with determination.
Joël, LOU will be looking for 13th place on Sunday against Stade Toulousain… How are you approaching this match?
It’s certain that it’s going to be a match where, like any away match, we will have to defend well to resist this game that they are going to impose. And above all be very consistent in conquest and occupation. Afterwards, there is no more than that. We all have to be at this level and with the same ideas to have a very serious and very coherent match at the bases.
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After two huge Champions Cup matches, is there a risk of letting up?
There is always this risk, especially when you play teams who are at the bottom of the standings away from home, with a team that is in trouble. But precisely, it is also this experience that we gain. We have players who are used to playing this kind of match away, with a fairly young group in general. Previously, it was quite successful for us. We have to keep this dynamic and I think we have played enough matches like that not to fall into the trap. But yes, the temptation is there.
When you are a pillar at Stade Toulousain, it is also the opportunity to participate in great phases of play…
We are in a squad where the speed of deliberation, the idea of bringing the ball to life, is very important. We don’t just do conquest or rucks. It’s certain that we are in a squad where we touch balls, we have important racing lines to do. But it’s all the more satisfying to be able to play in a team like that. Without forgetting that our main role is still to make good scrums and good rucks.
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David Mélé joked that we don’t train a Joël Merkler like a Dorian Aldegheri. What do you think?
We are quite complementary players. He brings me a lot in terms of dark spots and melee requirements. Even today I had questions. He advises me well. Of course I have to improve in the areas where he has experience. When traveling, I need to be able to exploit this strong point that I have from time to time. I need to train more physically. And he can help me in the conquest.
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