After the successful feat in Toulouse, the Girondins are wary of the arrival of Bayonne rowing in Chaban-Delmas.
A little beer and off to bed. This is pretty much how the players of Union Bordeaux-Bègles celebrated their historic victory in Toulouse last Sunday. “We went to a small bar where we stayed until 2 hours before taking the road to Bordeaux, explained third row Pierre Bochaton on Wednesday after the first collective session of the week. It wasn’t very violent but it was more to mark the occasion after this away success. We quickly got back to work because it is important to put in a good performance against Bayonne to avoid losing points and not spoil this first away victory.” The Union Bordeaux-Bègles has taken control of the championship, this is not to leave them six days later, even if it is far too early to seriously look at the ranking. It is also the mistrust that animated the Girondins this week in training, aware of finding a Basque team which had caused them serious problems last season at Chaban-Delmas.
A defense that is getting better
To capitalize on their first away victory of the season, the technical staff will once again make numerous changes within the team. The rule of nine (nine changes between each meeting) could be confirmed and even go further with the return of Argentine second row Guido Petti. Yannick Bru could even completely renew his forward package if Marko Gazzoti were to take Tevita Tatafu’s place. In terms of the attack line, Romain Buros, Damian Penaud and Nicolas Depoortere are back after benefiting from a week of regeneration. Many changes which should not call into question the progress highlighted in the defensive sector at Ernest-Wallon, including a final defensive sequence which will count in this season, hopes Pierre Bochaton: “We were talking about our defense near the lines and on penalties since the friendly matches. We were quickly taking points in those phases. This time, we didn’t give up. We stuck together to defend well and not lose the match. It really did us good. We saw that we were capable of doing it. It shows that beyond the game we are offering, we are also capable of defending. “The team is also efficient outside of its offensive system.” Even if in Chaban, the latter is formidable with 98 points and fourteen tries scored in two matches.
