Pro D2 – At Provence Rugby, the future is above all in the present

In the shadow of its large neighbors around the Mediterranean (Toulon, Montpellier, Perpignan), Provence Rugby strives to cultivate an antinomian face. In Maurice-David, black people advocate working calmly, over time, and above all with assumed discretion. Master on board, Denis Philipon is the guarantor of this desired and defended strategy. And even though the Provençal club comes out of a historic exercise, finishing as leader of Pro D2 before being eliminated in the semi-final against Grenoble (22-23), you have not read or heard any speech of self-satisfaction in the media.

At the start of the season, the president simply set a course for the partners of the Bucco-Rhodan entity: “This year, I am not going to play modest, even if humility must remain our DNA. With the players, the staff, we want to do better by taking a new step. We will seek a place in the final with Toulouse But this final is not going to fall alone. We are going to play it against two teams who have declared it openly in the press, Oyonnax and Brive. We are also going to battle with teams that we respect enormously. Béziers.”

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To achieve this objective, the founder of Voyage Privé decided to focus on continuity by supporting Mauricio Reggiardo and his staff (Ladauge, Delmas, Dupuy and Adamson). Last September 27, in the privacy of a joyful locker room after the success at the expense of Oyonnax (38-3)the announcement of departure next June of the Argentinian manager was rather unexpected at this stage of the financial year. At the end of his fourth year, the native of Bragado, who recently celebrated his 100th at the head of the Blacks, decided to take another path. The desire was mutual according to various sources. “We knew that some of the staff were at the end of their contractsadmitted co-captain Joris Cazenave. I was surprised at the time, but at least everything was done early in the season. It’s also good for players at the end of their contract. Everyone knows there will be change. Everything is clear to everyone.” What will help us better approach the rest of the championship? “Departures and arrivals are part of our job. Our group is strong and experienced enough to manage that. We did not raise the subject at the restart, because the club must move forward. And we know that Mauricio will not give up. He is hungry for victories, like the group, and we are all going to pull in the same direction. We all decided on a common goal at the start of the season… We also want to deliver! the best outing for Mauricio, who has become the club’s most successful coach. It would be the ideal way to end our joint adventure!

Cider will arrive, Ikanivere hoped

Despite full support for this end of the season, Provencal leaders are working, like their colleagues, to prepare for the next vintage. And as nature abhors a vacuum, we must already deal with the constraints to come. The future director of rugby Philippe Saint-André is in the process of shaping a staff capable of bringing the entity closer to the top of French rugby. Jacques Delmas (forwards coach) and Gareth Adamson (head of physical preparation) are arriving at the end of their lease. According to our indiscretions, Mathieu Cidre, currently responsible for the RC Vannes forwardswill return to the south of France. The deal is closed and he will be one of the faces of the Provençal organization with obviously Julien Dupuy, recently extended.

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Finally, on the ground, the work is also immense. According to our indiscretions, sixteen players are reaching the end of their contract next June. There are a lot of forwards to rebuild, and in particular a first line. Six elements (Wegrzyn, Samaran, Mallez, Vernet, Boubila and Jammes) arrive at the end of the engagement. According to rumors, hooker Tevita Ikanivere, Fijian international (20 caps) and player for the Fijian Drua franchise, is in very advanced discussions to become one of the new faces of the Aix pack. Other executives are waiting like Bilel Taieb, Josh Tyrell and Teimana Harrison.

Among three-quarters, the needs are less important. A scrum half and a center, with a player and passer profile, are currently being sought. Should we expect a huge George North blow? Impossible to say at this moment, even if Denis Philipon has already warned Maurice-David’s subscribers: “There is a fantastic project here. And we have no limits to our ambition.”