INSIDE. Rugby – Carcassonne-Narbonne Derby in National: at the heart of Racing during the last collective video session and the announcement of the composition

Being in the privacy of a locker room – or rather a room – or how to gain insight into the life of a group by truly being inside during an important moment of life. Wednesday morning, (very) early, the players of Racing Club Narbonnais met again after a day of rest. Around 8 a.m., the forwards and three-quarters were entitled to their specific video session. Then, around 8:30 a.m., the entire team (even the long-term injured) took their place in this room of the coaches' office. Around them, photos from previous years – player portraits, joy, combat, key moments of each season – to add extra soul.

Pierre Nueno applauded

You know the Racingmen on the pitch, but in that moment, it was like a flashback, years earlier, to a classroom. Notepads for some, seriousness for all and attention. The right recipe for listening to the session master, Julien Seron. For a full quarter of an hour, all these beautiful people will watch images of neighboring Carcassonne, whether during matches at Bourg-en-Bresse, Massy or against Périgueux, but also important points seen on Monday in training . Little individual words to Peter Betham, Gabriel Atlan or Tom Chauvet, collective on defense in particular, encouragement too or even warnings. The manager will point out the objectives, strategies and weapons to overcome this opponent. In an almost disconcerting seriousness.

Some players give each other advice in a low voice, others have a quick word when they are pointed out. Then, the attention gives way to a two-minute break, to put the – usual – smile back on the faces of the people of Narbonne. Before an always special moment, the announcement of the lineup for the derby.

“Here are the 23 men who have the chance to play in this derby. What a damn good match”. Julien Seron begins this moment with emotion to get his players into the swing of things. Then, the manager will list the names, one after the other, by scrolling through a visual. There are inevitably happy people, the cities, and disappointed people, the players outside the group. On the other hand, Pierre Nueno will be in the first group. Above all, the center will experience his 100th match sheet in the Racing jersey. Obviously, the Béarnais is widely applauded by all his teammates. Before Julien Seron asks him how many seasons he has been at Narbonne. “Four”replies the main person concerned, almost timidly. It is with this moment of joy that the Racing group gets up to prepare for the day's training. Only the executives will stay for several more minutes with Sébastien Logerot to give the final instructions.