After a defeat on the pitch at Colomiers (29-33) and a narrow victory against Nice (34-30), the Montalbanais are keen to show that they have the shoulders to retain this leading position. Before moving onto the Agen pitch, third row Corentin Coularis evokes a pivotal moment for the USM.
This defeat against Colomiers left its mark. By following, you win in pain against Nice. How did you manage to bounce back?
It's true that after the defeat at Colomiers and the somewhat sluggish victory against Nice, there was a questioning of what was no longer working. This week, we had to put things right about our collective and individual investment in training. You should not rest on what you have learned. It's better to discuss it when you're at the top than to send out a big warning when it's a little late, like last season. It's a little alert message. You have to succeed in switching.
How do you explain this slight drop in speed?
There are simple things to do to perform. Stay a little more on bodybuilding for example, pay attention to our attitudes on rucks in training… All this work which may seem invisible is important. Sometimes in matches, we play a little against ourselves. We have to be sure of our strengths.
Do you still have the feeling that the group has reached a milestone?
Exactly. I believe we are at the cape level. Now we have to pass it. We need a reference match. We no longer want these seesaw matches. I believe we are arriving at a pivotal moment in our season.
This Thursday, you will travel to the Agen lawn. During the last two seasons, USM won in Armandie. Does it stay in the back of your mind?
Not really… We mostly talked about ourselves this week. Of our behavior in defense and our indiscipline. Taking stock of our start to the season, we are the leader but we are fifteenth in defense and sixteenth in discipline. If we look at the ranking of the teams that have qualified over the last four years, they are always in the three best defenses.
Personally, you will play your third match of the season. What state of mind are you in?
What is good this year is that there is competition during training. At the third line position, we are numerous and efficient. It’s good because among young people, we have to surpass ourselves if we want to play! From a personal point of view, I want to show that I want to. I have to do what I know how to do and manage to show myself while remaining at the service of the collective. I also want to have fun. I love defending but it's true that I want us to show what we can do offensively.
France
Rugby
