You were field assistant against Newcastle, you are going to play at Mayol against Toulon: are you following in the footsteps of Jonny Wilkinson?
Indeed. I had a special week against Newcastle, as assistant field coach. Being near the players when I wasn’t playing was a good experience. And then it was Newcastle, a team that I often had the opportunity to face, players that I knew. It was great to be involved like that. And now there is this match against Toulon. This is another step. I was a substitute last season at Mayol. I had seen matches on television but the experience was great. I hope it will be there again on Saturday. And who knows, maybe there will be a kick like Wilkinson…
What does it mean to you?
A model. But not just for me. Even if we don’t play Rugby, in England, everyone knows Jonny Wilkinson. I never met him. But I grew up loving the way he played. I wanted to be like him. To be able to play against a club for which he is a legend, it’s a huge honor for me and a good challenge.
Did he inspire your decision to come and play in France?
I’ve watched a lot of documentaries about him, where he talks about how much he loved his experience in France and you see how much the Toulon fans love him. I’ve seen a lot of tribute videos on Wilkinson’s YouTube. He enjoyed his adventure here and maybe that made the decision to come, to discover another world, a little easier for me. At the time, I wanted to challenge myself in a different environment. Pau was my challenge. But I think what Jonny Wilkinson did inspired me: he came here, he won a lot of titles, he achieved things that people don’t even dream of, he won the Top 14, the Champions Cup. This was also the meaning of my decision. I always want to evolve here and win things.
Wilkinson marked the history of Toulon: is this the meaning of your extension at Pau?
100%. I love Pau and I love the rugby that I develop here. I signed for Pau to try to accomplish something and I haven’t changed my mindset. The Section has never reached the top 8, has never been in the Champions Cup since its return to the elite. That’s why I came here. And that’s what I always want. I want to play the big matches. I extended my contract early because I have the same aspirations. I am focused on that, I believe in this group, I like to evolve with this staff. Extending three years was the natural decision. I’m happy to be on this path.
Your status is that of an essential player: already 10 Top 14 matches this season, only one missed match…
A missed match? Ah yes, Bordeaux. And I was a substitute in La Rochelle. I don’t feel tired. I had recovery periods. I am fresh and even really excited by the three big matches coming up between Toulon, Vannes and Castres. We have to get good results. We gained a lot of confidence in the Challenge Cup between the victory against Newcastle and the point brought back from South Africa, we must confirm.
The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
The novelty of your second season in Pau is your try counter: already three achievements in the Top 14 compared to just one last year.
I don’t know what happened…I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Even at Exeter I was never a finisher. Three tries is already a good number but I hope to be able to continue this momentum because my job is to score points so that we are in place on the scoreboard… The tries help me enormously. I also scored my first drop in Top 14. It was synonymous with “full house”, the first of my career. It was a special little moment for me and my family. I think I’m the 19th to have done it in Top 14…
On the other hand, your efficiency as a scorer is down slightly (80.2% compared to 83.3%): how do you analyze it?
I don’t know, I don’t think it’s linked to the rule change with a shorter time. The effectiveness of a scorer depends on the periods. Sometimes you are better. I’m training as much as I did last year. And who knows, for the rest of the season, I could be better than last year. I don’t think about that too much: if I slip into emotion, anger, it will affect my game on the weekend. I’m going to miss some shots, I’m going to make some shots: I just have to make sure that I continue to have fun and not get too upset because it’s just part of rugby and there will be always failures. I work as much as I can and I hope that on Saturday my marks will be good…
How is your relationship with Axel Desperes evolving?
We speak a little in French, a little in English. I know I’m an experienced player, but I still feel like a young guy. And sometimes, not confident enough to give Axel my opinion and tell him whether or not he’s right. But we work well together. I am convinced that it makes me better. As I know he can draw inspiration from my game for other things. He is still a young man. For me he is clearly progressing. In the Challenge Cup, he was really good. If he gains more confidence and asserts himself, he will be an excellent player for Pau. It’s a big challenge for me: young players who want my place, that pushes me to be better.
With only ten points scored on average, offensive efficiency away from home is Pau’s problem. How do you explain it?
We haven’t had any good away matches this season. It’s frustrating. My mission, as number 10, is to get points and create. It is therefore a project on which I am concentrating. Afterwards, I don’t know if it’s a uniquely French feeling, but when the teams host, it seems that the match means a lot more to them. The difference is striking. Entertaining is always a big challenge. It will be for us in Toulon. We have to make sure we succeed as a team. We are capable of doing it.
The victory against Lyon was very precious: did it also restore confidence?
Yes, definitely. Before the match, I was worried. A defeat could put us in a difficult situation. Vannes achieved a great success against La Rochelle, we had to beat Lyon who are behind us now. With the other confrontations of this 12th day, we have to get a good result against Toulon.
Compared to the Premiership, English players discover the fear of relegation in France…
Every match in France is a huge match. In the Premiership, I never really experienced that. And now there is no longer even direct relegation. In France, there are positions to defend. For me, this is the greatest strength of the Top 14: every match is precious and you have to win it. I am well aware of this pressure.
