the essential
After two defeats in a row in the Top 14, Richie Arnold’s Stade Toulousain will try to get back on track to success against Clermont, this Saturday October 12 (9:05 p.m.). Before receiving the ASM, the Australian second line speaks.
La Dépêche du Midi: This week, you are recording the return of Antoine Dupont, how did you find him?
Richie ARNOLD : It’s really good to see him back with us, he seems perfectly rested, having spent a good time in the United States. He will bring us all his energy, we hope to see him on the pitch as soon as possible, this weekend or next week. And I am sure that he will know how to make differences from the start as he knows how to do so well. Antoine can really give us that boost we need at the moment.
Also read:
Stade Toulousain: Antoine Dupont already available, returns of Ntamack, Capuozzo and Mallia… How Toulouse is preparing before Clermont
After two defeats in a row, how is the morale of the troops?
It clearly sucks to have lost these last two matches. It puts our minds back in place a little, even though we had two great teams on the other side who have a history of performing well in recent years. It’s a little reminder, nothing is easy in the Top 14. The match in Castres was really frustrating. We did well in the first half, then we had a disastrous 10-15 minutes. We can’t wait to be able to set the record straight, we need to get back on this path to victory against a good Clermont team.
Also read:
Stade Toulousain – Clermont: “He couldn’t have waited a week?”… The return of Antoine Dupont does not only make people happy in Auvergne
When we look at you in training, do we nevertheless have the impression that, despite these two defeats, everyone looks calm?
(Somewhat disapproving smile) There is nothing prohibitive, the championship is not played over five or six days. But we have an obligation to prepare ourselves perfectly to play a great match and win against ASM.
Also read:
INTERVIEW. Castres – Stade Toulousain: “We pedal a little next to the bike” laments Ugo Mola after Toulouse’s defeat in the derby
Ugo Mola defended himself this weekend from being at the head of a pretentious team, in response to certain criticisms. What can be said about the Stadium, do you pay attention to it?
Honestly, my French is not good enough for that (smile). Afterwards yes, I see a few titles in town, I take a photo to put on Google Translate, but it doesn’t go any further. In general, I’m a little outside of all that, and it’s perhaps easier for me to have a perspective because as a foreigner, you’re a little more impervious to all that.
“I’m not at the end”
Personally, your contract expires at the end of this season, how do you see your future?
The current thinking, I don’t know yet. I feel good in my body, and I feel good here, in Toulouse. We will have to discuss with my family, the club, look at what the options might be. For the moment, the discussion has not yet taken place. Things will progress naturally, but the end of the season is still a long way off in my mind. My concern at the moment is that we can get back on the right path.
Also read:
Stade Toulousain: “I have a lot of memories from the last five years here…” Australian Richie Arnold in the 100 club
At 34, do we think about what’s next?
Do you mean retirement (smile)? I’m not finished, no, I still want to play rugby for a while. I still have this physical and mental freshness. Afterwards, I’m not fooled: I’m closer to the end than the beginning. Afterwards, I think about it from time to time, but it’s not for right away.
Does this worry you, a life without rugby?
Let’s say it’s getting closer and closer (smile). Some people may find this a bit scary, but I’m lucky, I’ve already experienced what “normal life” could be like. I signed my first contract when I was 24-25 years old. After school, I worked in construction for a bit, then in a sugar factory in Australia. It was perhaps less exciting than rugby, but I know what it’s like to go to work from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
