Suspended three weeks after receiving a red card against Saracens in the Champions Cup, Stade Français third row Sekou Macalou will make his return this Saturday against Northampton. Here he returns to the situation of his team.
Considering your situation in the Top 14, isn’t the most important match of the month of January that of Vannes?
This one is definitely in the back of our minds. But we cannot afford to miss out on the European Cup. We have two games to play and if we play them at 50%, it’s not going to do it. We really need to focus on this game against Northampton. Thinking about the Top 14 today would not be a good thing.
Have you discussed with the staff the action that earned you a three-week suspension?
High tackles happen often. I had a little moment of deconcentration. We talked about it with the staff. I’m going to try to bend down a little more and be more careful because we’ve often played outnumbered in the last few matches. It penalizes the team quite a bit. We will try to stay at XV throughout the match.
Is your red card, like others received by some of your partners, linked to a certain frustration of not being able to put your game in place?
I don’t think it’s frustration. We are an aggressive defensive team that is fully committed in matches and in training. Above all, I have the feeling that we lack a little concentration. These are often gaming accidents. They’re not very stupid things, but my cardboard is a little (smiles).
-What is the objective in this meeting against Northampton?
I believe it is important to break this negative dynamic. The most important thing is to win, to regain confidence and concentrate on our game. Afterwards, in this competition, even with just one match won, there is perhaps the possibility of qualifying.
The coach of the French XV Fabien Galthié will announce next Wednesday the list of 42 players selected for the 6 Nations Tournament. Is the French team still in the back of your mind?
We will focus only on the Stade Français. We’ll talk about the France team when it comes. But let’s stay focused on the club.
How did the arrival in Mathieu Blin’s staff take place?
He is an elder of the house. If I’m not bullshit, I think he was crowned French champion four times with the Stade (Editor’s note: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007). He is someone who will bring us his experience, his desire to win. We felt, in the speech he gave when he arrived, that he really wanted to win. He told us he believed in us. This is something very important because at the moment we are really alone against everyone. The arrival of Mathieu is also a new discourse within the staff and that could do some good.
