Number three in the hierarchy at the start of the season, young hooker Lucas Martin (21 years old) has been gaining momentum for a month. After starting the season in the stands, the former Provence player should, with Vincent Giudicelli's injury, benefit from increasing playing time in the weeks to come.
We left Aviron Bayonnais with a success against Toulouse. What was the program for you afterwards?
We went on vacation on Sunday evening. We started again on Thursday with a short two-day course in Capbreton. We found ourselves there to break the routine of the recovery. We slept at the Natureo campsite, we trained at the performance center, where the French Sevens team often went. The first day, there was a bit of fun, activities on the beach. In the afternoon, bodybuilding, rugby. Friday was the same. Finally, this Monday, we began a week of classic preparation before the trip to Toulon.
After nine consecutive days of championship, the Top 14 and the Challenge Cup will liven up the coming weeks. How did the staff present the sequel to you?
For the moment, we have mainly talked about the Top 14. We have not planned on the rest. We remained focused on the match in Toulon on Saturday. Recovery is never easy. We are traveling to a big team, in a somewhat legendary stadium, with fervor.
What is the watchword before the match at Mayol?
The watchword is to continue our good streak. Even though there was a holiday break, we want to repeat the performances, whether at home or away. We know that Saturday will be very complicated, but we want to perform well in Toulon to grab points.
Do you think the cut came at the right time?
We felt that our bodies were tired, that it was complicated for the squad, because we had not cut since the restart this summer. So yes, before the break, we were on a very good run, with confidence, but I don't think ten days of vacation could have ruined everything. On the contrary, we are big boys and we know that we have to move forward. It's a double-edged sword. We all needed to breathe and rest our bodies after these big matches. But it’s true that the series was good…
When you returned, did you find the same enthusiasm as before the holidays?
The group is happy to be there, we want to continue what we are doing. The Top 14 is very long, there are cuts, the European Cup and we know that a defeat can quickly change the ranking. We want to be good, to string together performances. The enthusiasm is still there. There is a lot of fun, good humor and seriousness in training. We have a head on our shoulders, we know where we come from and where we want to go.
Will this weekend's trip to Mayol be special for the child of the south-east that you are?
It's near my home, but I've never played in Toulon. The RCT, when I was little, was the local club with the great era, the European championship titles, but it will not be, for me, a special match. I will approach it as a simple match, thinking about Bayonne and what we are going to put in place to have a good match.
This summer, you told us that it was while watching the RCT that you wanted to do this sport…
Yes, because when I was little, with the Wilkinson, Bastareaud era, it was obviously a dream. I remember going to the Vélodrome, seeing Toulon-Toulouse, the Classico. It was a dream, it was a great team.
Have you ever wanted to play in Toulon?
Not necessarily, no.
On a personal level, how do you view your start to the season?
Things were done simply. Little by little, I discovered another level, the demands that were required, the performances to be achieved on a collective or individual level. Little by little, I try to get as much playing time as possible, to perform as much as possible. I'm quite happy and I know all the work that remains to be done to grow.
You started the season in the stands. How did you experience it?
By signing for Bayonne, I knew that there was very good competition, as in all positions in the Top 14. I knew that by signing for a Top 14 club, we were going to have to work better and twice as hard. I knew that I had to make my hole little by little, that things were not going to happen easily. Internally, I wanted to play on the first and second days, but I had to remain patient, while working hard to be there and as efficient as possible, the day I was called upon. The goal is, then, to seek a more important place, little by little.
What did you think of this championship that you discovered?
What changes is the sequence of matches, which are much more intense, and the recovery. The weeks follow each other. Afterwards, it's a game that I like. I find that there is a lot more speed, a very high intensity, big duels, in front, in conquest. It is a very complete championship, where speed, precision and technique make the difference.
You started in the Top 14 in Clermont, in a complicated match, particularly on the sidelines…
Clermont was my first match. Casually, it was also only the third meeting of the season for the team. There were quite a few changes, new players. On the sidelines, there were errors. We needed to settle collectively. However, I didn't feel the team worried after this match. We knew we had been fishing this area and not having a good game overall. But we continued to work, to find benchmarks and collectively, things are going better and better. So it's positive.
And the touch has been better since…
Yes, it got better and better. There are always things we can fix, benchmarks to find, confidence. But it is with repetition and confidence that this sector works.
How do you think the absence of Arthur Iturria could have an impact in this sector?
We are lucky to have many very good sideline players in Bayonne. I'm thinking of Arthur (Iturria), Baptiste Héguy or Chouzenoux, who mainly announce. Arthur's injury will inevitably impact the team a little, because he was one of the leaders of the team, the captain. But I know that the staff and the team have confidence in everyone. There is no problem with that and we are impatiently awaiting the return of the injured, so that they can help the collective.
You had your first tenure at LOU, with a big match up for grabs. What do you keep from it?
It happened quite naturally, I didn't think too much about it, even if it's easy to say that. I wanted to give my maximum and everything I couldn't give at the start, when I had less playing time. I wanted to enjoy myself and put in a big match for the team. We needed to get a big result at that time. There were several young people in this match, some experienced guys too. The collective took it quite well and frankly, we had a great time.
That day, did Rowing supporters discover your true face?
Yes, because it was the match where I had the most playing time, therefore the one where I was able to show myself the most. People saw the things I could do…
What would you like to improve on?
I'm still young, so I want to work on conquering touch and scrum, while gradually gaining confidence. These are benchmarks. Then I want to follow up with the performances. I also need to improve on intensity and speed, because that's part of my game. My goal is to become even better at that.
They say you practice throwing a lot during the week. Do you put any pressure on yourself about that?
I practice a lot, because it is a gesture to repeat constantly to be more comfortable. But it’s also very collective. I need to be connected with leaders and the team. It is by playing the most that we will perform the best. Stressed? No, that's part of my role. If I play this position, that’s also why. I love the touch and the throw. It’s a facet of the game where everyone is looking to progress and improve. I know my role, I know the importance it has. There's no point in stressing, I just want to do the best I can.
You have only started one match since the start of the season. Is this linked to staff choices, or because you still lack the funds to play more than fifty or sixty minutes?
Physically, I feel very good. These are staff choices, match experience. Things just happen. It's up to me, when given the chance, to seek out the best in me.
Vincent Giudicelli will be absent for a while. In this sense, you will have more responsibilities in the coming weeks…
There are a few injured in key positions, important players. Injury is part of high-level sport. We hope they come back as soon as possible. For my part, I don't focus too much on that. I take what is given to me, I try to progress little by little, without getting distracted by what is around me.
