After a defeat on the Brive pitch where the USM once again showed two very different faces, it is at Sapiac, against Soyaux-Angoulême that we will have to bounce back. Jérémie Maurouard evokes this new deadline with the desire to find a form of continuity in the game… To finally treat yourself to a benchmark match over 80 minutes?
What do you remember from this defeat against Brive?
I'm going to talk about the fundamentals. I don't think we were present in front. We suffered at the scrum level, something which is important in Rugby. The positive point is that we managed to remobilize in the second half. We had to show another face and show solidarity in the face of difficulty and I think we succeeded in doing so. Afterwards, I feel like we managed to move on quickly. Everyone quickly thought of this match against Soyaux-Angoulême.
How do you explain this lack of success in the first half?
I think we didn't prepare the Brive match like we prepared the one against Agen for example. I don't think we left as defeaters. There is a very good group but we are still under construction, we must not forget that. This defeat will inevitably serve us well for the future. Now we have to rely on the positive to move forward. When we manage to put our game in place, we are not the same team.
You are going to play your fifth match since your arrival, how do you feel within this Montalban team?
Well, I still have so much fun! The team integrated me really well. I feel good, I'm in great shape so I'm enjoying it. I am a whole person, I have no filters. I stay myself to try to fit in as best as possible.
To come back to the team, what will be the keys to this match against Soyaux-Angoulême?
You will have to focus on the details. On the rucks in particular. I will repeat myself but the scrums and touches will be essential. We need to find this connection between the fronts and the backs. I think that's what will allow us to have a good match this weekend.
Do you feel that USM still has a milestone to overcome?
Honestly, we do quality workouts. It will come little by little. The game has changed, it has evolved. We have a good margin of progress over the last four months. We really need to be able to find this continuity in our game. But since the start of the season, the results have been rather positive.
Among the points to improve, there is the key area…
Yes, like several sectors but I don't believe that the touch is our weak point. We have scored several times on mauls since the start of the season. Sometimes the defense also has the right to be good. I'm thinking of the match against Nice where they managed to counter us quite a few times. Also in Brive. We must not forget that there is a defense in front. It's not just the hooker or the announcer.
Today, do you think that Montauban has what it takes to play in the finals?
(Smile). We'll talk about it again in a few months. I think it's way too early for now. There are still too many matches left and a winter period which will allow certain teams to wake up.
France
Rugby
