Ueighth victory in the Top 14, an invincibility preserved at Chaban-Delmas and a 2e consolidated place… The short success snatched against Montpellier (9-6) this Saturday can only rejoice the Union Bordeaux-Bègles on an accounting level. But he also underlined the difficulties of the moment, particularly in conquest, which will have to be quickly corrected before launching the Champions Cup campaign against Leicester next Sunday (2 p.m.).
“The copy we submitted is not satisfactory,” judged manager Yannick Bru after Saturday’s meeting. “We know that with this copy, we will be beaten by Leicester who have roughly the same playing philosophy as Montpellier, with an exponent two since they have a lot of internationals in their ranks, strong confidence and experience . It was a good white patent. »
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Black point at the start of the season, despite an improved encounter in Clermont and Vannes, the Gironde touch once again fell back into its failings against the MHR with 5 balls lost on its own throws. “We have to continue to work, perhaps change certain things and bring new ones,” judges hooker Maxime Lamothe. We have to improve, we can’t continue like this, playing average matches in conquest.” In the first period, UBB failed on three successive shots. “It’s not easy. The opponent has a huge hold on us, on the ground but also psychologically,” continues Maxime Lamothe. “From there, we have to find easy solutions.”
“Montpellier is a watered-down version of what Leicester offers”
To explain the current difficulties in this sector, manager Yannick Bru highlighted the fact that it was a “reconnection” match after the November Tour. “Shaun Sowerby (the sidelines coach) had been with Georgia for a month. He arrived on Tuesday during the week. Adam Coleman had to make an express trip to Australia which was not easy to manage, Max Lamothe was also back…” Without forgetting the return of Guido Petti, one of the leaders in this sector, or the absence of Jonny Gray (angina). “Frankly, there are interactions that did not go in the best way on the sidelines,” notes Yannick Bru. “With wet conditions, it was like that. It's not enough. »
Against Montpellier, UBB also suffered in a closed scrum despite the return of Ben Tameifuna on the right. “Montpellier has the best scrum in the Top 14,” underlines Yannick Bru. “And again, Abuladze was injured. He's not funny at all. We had a big challenge in this sector and today (Saturday), the result is that we are not at their level. It's clear, crisp and precise. This is a good lesson to learn. »
The conquest will have to raise the cursor before the first Champions Cup match. “We will say that Montpellier is a watered-down version of what Leicester offers,” explains Yannick Bru. It's very strong in terms of the forward pack, a first-rate conquest, the most effective defense in the Premiership, which is sprinting all the time, which will exert a lot of pressure on our ball carriers. And a kicking game which is the highest in the Premiership with Handré Pollard in 10, Van Poortvliet at the hinge and Freddie Steward at the back. It’s very physical.” The UBB is going to have to flex its muscles.
