Two players will have their first match sheet with Olympic Biarritz. Facing Provence Rugby for the 11th day of Pro D2this Friday, November 15. Samoan hooker Luteru Tolaï will replace Yohan Beheregaray. On the bench, we will also find Aïtor Hourcade. The third row arrived last week in Aguilera, loaned until the end of the season by Aviron Bayonnais. After a spell on loan at Bourgoin last season, the young 23-year-old player finally wants to play more games.
A first match sheet, one week after your arrival. Is this an ideal start?
Aïtor Hourcade : Yes, I'm very happy to be in the group to play Provence. I had a week to acclimatize. I was well received, comfortable in the group. Now, I can't wait to play, to get playing time again that I didn't have at my old club and I just want to attack.
How did this arrival go?
I had more playing time in Bayonne. I was looking for an exit and I had this opportunity in Biarritz in Pro D2. I didn't hesitate. I want to play at a high level, Pro D2 is a very good level. Last year, having experienced the Nationale with Bourgoin, I liked this project at the BO, I was immediately hooked.
What will your role be? Are you there to compensate for the departure of Simon Augry from Vannes and the numerous injuries on the third line?
I didn't necessarily discuss that. I come, I take as much playing time as possible. If there are any injuries, good for me. Here, we see me more in a number seven position.
There wasn't too much of a change of scenery…
It's certain that there are quite a few Bayonnais, young people of my generation that I know like Fariscot too. Now it's a place I know and I haven't had to change apartments, for example. I also have my family here in the Basque Country. Obviously, I'm happy to play at Biarritz Olympique which plays at the top of the Pro D2 table.
How do you see your start to your career? Isn't today the real departure?
It was not a false start in Bayonne. I experienced Pro D2 where I played a lot… The Top 14 was perhaps a step too far for me. It's up to me to prove in Pro D2 that I have the level. I have to get tougher, have some playing time and why not return to the Top 14 later. I try to do the best I can. I only want to play. I'm hungry !
Are you dreading your first appearances? It's been a while since you last played.
I continued to train in Bayonne. Of course, I don't really have a gauge, I haven't played a match. I played 7s in Super Sevens this summer. I feel good on the pitch, now it's up to me to give it my all.
You are young, at 23 years old. Do you see yourself as a young Top 14 player who is arriving or rather a young player who still has everything to prove?
I am the young person who has everything to prove, but I want to remove this young label, to be able to take it up a notch.
This Friday, you will be on the bench and will play against the leader of Pro D2. What was the speech this week after the rout at Mont-de-Marsan?
I was in the group in Mont-de-Marsan to see how it all went. We were faltering in front, we were caught behind, in the conquest too. We were penalized too much… Afterwards, it's up to us to show a lot more commitment and keep this serenity in Aguilera. We have the house to impose our game.
Probable line-up against Biarritz Olympique
The Biarritz compo:
1- Giorgi NUTSUBIDZE ; 2- Yohan BEHEREGARAY; 3- Solomon TUKUAFU
4- Charles MATTHEWS; 5- FLYING PIULA
6- Jessy JEGERLEHNER ; 8- Nafi SORRY; 7- Thomas HEBERT
9- Imanol BISCAY; 10- Thomas DOLHAGARAY
11- Gervais CORDIN ; 12- François VERGNAUX ; 13- Mathieu ACEBES (c) ; 14- Zach KIBIRIGE
15- Kylian JAMINET
Substitutes: 16- Luteru TOLAI; 17- Kilian TAOFIFENUA; 18- Ellande SANDERSON; 19- Aïtor HOURCADE; 20- Kerman PRIVATE HOUSE; 21- Edgar RETIERE; 22- TYLER MORGAN; 23- Nodar SHENGELIA
