Llaunched at full speed, the Union Bordeaux-Bègles has one last turn to negotiate before ending the year. So park at the exit of the road. The objective? Validate the first leg with a sixth success in a row in all competitions. And if possible, keep the 1re place at mid-season, as it did during the so frustrating 2019-2020 season stopped by Covid, or even during the 2021-2022 financial year. “We are not often on these transition times, we are more often late in the winter,” underlines scrum half Maxime Lucu. Certain moments are important in a championship. »And this shock against RC Toulon is one of them.
Anxious to finish in one of the first two places, synonymous with direct qualification for the semi-finals, the UBB has the opportunity to push back the 3e at seven or eight lengths. The season is still long but taking points from a direct competitor is essential. The Bordelais are aware of the challenge that awaits them against the RCT, the other team in good form at the moment, which is riding a series of six consecutive victories. “It will be another big test,” judges Shaun Sowerby, the coach in charge of the Gironde side. “It’s an ultra dominant team,” continues hooker Maxime Lamothe. We see him every weekend. If we miss out on the physical level, it will be complicated. We know who is coming to Chaban. »
Solides arguments
But the Gironde club has solid arguments to put forward as evidenced by its latest success on the field of Castres (3-13) where its scrum and its alignment responded to the meeting. “We showed that Bordeaux is not only about arrows at the back, it is also a good bunch of forwards,” recalls Maxime Lucu. It needs to be confirmed. » To respond to the Var challenge in this sector, the UBB only made one change to its front eight with the tenure of Lamothe at heel.
“This year, I feel like we’re harder to beat”
Remaining on five successes in a row, the UBB has managed to set off a great dynamic. “It’s something that’s always difficult to do,” notes Shaun Sowerby. But once it's there, you have to hold it. » Last season, the great series of eight consecutive victories which launched the Gironde club to the summits also coincided with the enchanted interlude in the Champions Cup. Should we see a cause and effect link?
The Champions Cup effects
“These matches lead us to closely examine what it takes to perform at a high level,” explains Maxime Lucu. There are a lot of internationals facing us, there is more effective playing time… We are finding our rugby again. We use these meetings to progress. » “It gives us a lot of mental freshness to prepare for these matches which are a little different,” continues fullback Louis Bielle-Biarrey. We played the English, we went to Ireland… These trips also serve to unite a group. It helps us move on to the Top 14.”
Confident of its strengths, the UBB believes it has reached a milestone this season. “This year, I have the impression that we are more difficult to beat,” says Maxime Lamothe. The state of mind has changed, we managed to change, to become a little more killer, a little tougher in the game.” The Bordelais are no longer giving up, as evidenced by the turnaround of a rather poorly started affair. on the Vannes field (29-0 then 29-37). Apart from their trip to La Rochelle, they took points in all matches. And the performance is still there, even when the frames are left to rest. “It’s something we didn’t have before,” remembers Maxime Lucu. Seeing that the results are there, that everyone can contribute, that brings confidence. »
And trust is maintained. To end the year, a success against the RCT would further establish UBB as the main rival of Stade Toulousain.
