But where is Aviron Bayonnais going? Outclassed in Pau (51-29) last week, Grégory Patat’s men sank this Saturday in Clermont (26-10). Despite a slight surge at the end of the match, the Basques once again offered a very insufficient copy, worrying even for a club that says it is aiming for the top 8. After the 4th day, the sky and white club is in 13th position, that of relegation play-off. And if the Top 14 is still (very) long, a reaction from Baptiste Heguy and his teammates is essential, otherwise they will face very big disappointments.
“We’re disappointed, that’s for sure. We expected better, to make up for it a bit from Pau,” regretted the Basque captain. “In the end, we missed out on our first half. And chasing the score is never easy. I think we’ll have to make up for it at home, put on a good show. And correct this conquest and this line defense. Because every time they entered our camp, in our last 10 meters, they scored. Obviously, it was a bit too easy for them.”
Tiberghien and the Aviron backs have long been deprived of balls on the Michelin pitch.
JEFF PACHOUD / AFP
Same causes, same sanctions
Failed starts and a defence that was far too friendly with the opposing camp, especially in the areas near the rucks or on counter-attacks. “I saw from Bayonne what I saw last week (in Pau, Editor’s note)”, said Clermont manager Christophe Urios. Same causes, same consequences, with each time bonus victories for the opponents of the sky and white. It must not be that easy.
“We have to work even harder than the others, but I remain convinced that there is quality in this group.”
In a press conference, third row Giovanni Habel-Küffner completed his captain Baptiste Heguy’s analysis of the reasons for Bayonne’s failure: “For the moment, we are too undisciplined. Taking two yellow cards… It’s always difficult to play with 14. But above all, in conquest, we were not up to standard. Especially in the lineout.” The ex-Parisian is not mistaken. Because if he and the forwards alternated between the worst and the best in the scrum (especially after Luke Tagi came on), they were catastrophic in the lineout, with nearly ten botched throws. Unforgivable at this level and alarming, because the sky and white lineout was one of the satisfactions of the first two days.
JEFF PACHOUD / AFP
Substitute at kick-off, Luke Tagi was one of the only satisfactions of the Bayonne pack in Clermont.
Regain confidence
Match starts, defense, indiscipline, lineouts, travel outside the Basque Country… So many well-identified areas that will need to be corrected very quickly. Because the other teams are progressing. “Our content is not great,” euphemized Grégory Patat. “We need to quickly look for these details because the Top 14 doesn’t wait. We need to work even harder than the others, but I remain convinced that there is quality in this group and that we will regain a little more confidence.”
The reception of Montpellier, Saturday September 28 (4:30 p.m.) must absolutely serve to reinvigorate the Bayonnais and improve their content. Especially in view of the XXL calendar to come for the men of Grégory Patat (trip to Bordeaux, match against La Rochelle at Anoeta and reception of Racing). Conversely, a defeat at Jean-Dauger against the MHR would plunge Aviron into the beginning of a crisis.
No injuries
In the doldrums of Aviron in Clermont, some good news: the Bayonnais are leaving Marcel-Michelin apparently without any injuries, indicated manager Grégory Patat. “In Top 14 it’s important”, recalled his yellow and blue counterpart Christophe Urios.
