“I want this label of rugby sevens player to be removed from me.” This was the first objective of Thibaud Mazzoleni (27 years old) when he found Armandie this summer and a club to which the Layracais trained (2003 -2010) is very attached after having made a first visit there (2010-2015). It will be done this Friday in Valencia where the now ex-sevenist will experience his first start in Pro D2. A baptism of fire that the rugby sevens world champion, deprived of the Olympics, was waiting with great impatience.
After two months of champing at the bit and, above all, of assimilating all the offensive play systems of the SUA, is Thibaud Mazzoleni ready? “We’ll see if he’s ready,” says forwards coach Dave Ryan, without much doubt. It’s not a gift that we’re giving him to make him permanent. The manager decided it because he deserves this opportunity. He was impressive during training with his intensity in working on the field. » Until now, he had only played a few minutes in preparation matches.
A “Swiss army knife”
With Henry Purdy’s concussion, Loris Tolot’s hamstring discomfort and the need to give Iban Etcheverry a breather, Thibaud Mazzoleni will be thrown into the deep end on the wing by Sébastien Calvet who highlights his burst of speed as much as his “incredible humility”: “He is a very versatile player. He played 4-a-side rugby, which allows him to play scrum-half with us, while he was trained as a 10-a-side and at full-back. The seasons are long and having a “utility back” in your ranks is important. »
After the retirement of Mathieu Lamoulie, the SUA has its new “Swiss army knife”. To extend the pleasure beyond his contract year as an additional player, Thibaud Mazzoleni knows that he will have to seize every opportunity to show his advantage. Scrum half Dorian Bellot is also rave about him: “He’s a very good guy who takes his troubles patiently. He learns, he works, he is interested in everything, he doesn’t make noise. I wish him the best for this match and the rest. »
The team
Agen with a heavy bench. Contrary to the adage which says that you don’t change a winning team, the Agen staff did not bring back half of the winners against Nevers (35-17). Manager Sébastien Calvet thus made 7 changes to his starting fifteen. If the first line Lombard-Buret – Socino – Burin is renewed, however only the second line Madigan and the flanker Lebian also continue in the forward pack. As in Mont-de-Marsan, the latter once again inherits the captain’s stripes, Duputs starting on the bench. Behind, four more or less forced changes with back Loris Tolot’s hamstring discomfort. Bellot is established at the scrum alongside Searle, Mazzoleni is aligned for the first time on the wing, Belan returns to the center and Buttin at the back. Note the XXL bench of the SUA with in particular the experienced Demotte, Duputs, Maunder and Ramoka.
. Before Valencia-Novels){kind=link}