In a derby against US Carcassonne without great gains and with a narrow score, Racing Club Narbonnais won at Domec thanks to the strength of its group (15-18). If in the game, the orange and black still have work to do, the defense, the energy and the state of mind of this team were decisive in winning at the end of Tom Chauvet's foot.
Let's say it straight away, the Racing Club Narbonnais has not yet resolved its problems in content. This match on the lawn of neighboring Carcassonne once again showed the flaws in the orange and black game. Six forwards, useless jumps to rush towards the outside, passes for… the touch or even a lack of confidence to go to queen on this action by Pierre-Hugo Ducom (24th). There were also four lost touches in this meeting, nine penalties conceded, a half-time return in difficulty and too many blunders to set up the Narbonnais game.
“We hold the ball too much in our transition zones, we don't use our feet enough. The Narbonne supporters always want more, they are right, and we are working on it”reacted, lucidly, Julien Seron. And to Paul Belzons to continue: “The coin falls on the right side, we have to be satisfied with the victory, but get back to work quickly. This start to the second half is not good. Our exits from the camps are not good, we give them too many points easily. What we lack are these basics, like in touch. But the positive is that we work towards victory.
The energy put in by my players was remarkable.
Before kick-off, everyone knew that this derby against US Carcassonne would be a locked, tight match, a “real boxing fight” as manager Julien Seron and captain Paul Belzons repeated in the post-match conference. You have to know how to win this type of match. Because it counts in a season to win on the Domec meadow. And even if USC is at the bottom of the wave, the fight was nonetheless hellish for 80 minutes.
Except that in a moment like this, the Racing Club Narbonnais relied on its favorite recipe, defense. Like a third line in the oven and at the mill, all you have to do is observe the state of fatigue in which Thibault Clauzade and Paul Belzons joined the post-match press conference. Or the intensity put in by players like Leva Fifita and Parataiso Silafai-Lea'ana from start to finish. The orange and black left everything on the field. “The energy put in by my players was remarkable in a more than hostile context. Our victory is due to our imperial defense by constantly putting Carcassonne under pressure. It is the success of a group of 23 men, a staff who is often criticized, but who assumes responsibility. We have to take advantage of this kind of moment.”the manager is satisfied.
The magic of Christmas can begin in Narbonne
Starting at the last minute following the withdrawal of Charles Malet (crutch), Thibault Clauzade was omnipresent. But the strength of this team, “this is the group”repeated the third line. “All the players made a big effort. It's a group of friends and we have to keep it together all season, like what I've seen since my arrival two years ago. We're always united, even if we have each other. annoys me sometimes in training.”
This Saturday, the Racingmen must certainly be tired, but happy. Happy to have finally defeated the Indian sign on this Domec lawn at the end of the suspense and the left paw of Tom Chauvet (15-18 victory). Above all, at the start of a month of December where we will have to battle at Langon (next Saturday at 4 p.m.) and at Suresnes (on the 14th at 6 p.m.), Racing has taken the right turn. That of victory. And that of a team looking towards the top of the ranking, even if it is still far from having shown its full potential.
The Christmas magic can finally begin in Narbonne, Racing has brought the first gift under the tree. Hopefully it lasts for months.
France
Rugby