This Saturday, May 4, ASM Clermont Auvergne will challenge the South African team Sharks at the Twickenham Stoop in London for the semi-final of the Challenge Cup 2024. Aurélien Rougerie, emblematic figure of the club today responsible for recruitment and integration, shares his pre-match analysis with us.
Two games away from the trophy. The ASM Clermont Auvergne players will try to win their ticket for the Challenge Cup final this Saturday, against the Durban Sharks. “The club has always tried to use the European Cup and its qualifying phases to launch its season. This year, we had more difficulty. We know that the club is in reconstruction. Today, being in the semi-final is important for us and for the fans”, analyzes Aurélien Rougerie, emblematic figure of the Clermont club of which he is today team manager. A position whose role is, in his words, to “create optimal conditions so that staff and players can perform”.
Saturday, in fact, there could be a performance “provided you have the right mindset and mastery”, he believes. Because the South African opponent is a big one. The Sharks have scored the most tries per match (5.2 on average) since the start of the European competition. Particularly efficient in the offensive domain, they also have the highest percentage of dominant runs (29.1%).
It’s a very established team but we are preparing well to face it. We capitalized on the recovery at the start of the week. Now it’s up to us to face it on Saturday.
Aurélien RougerieTeam manager of ASM Clermont Auvergne
Christophe Urios’ men returned relieved from their last meeting in TOP 14, against Stade Français, last Saturday. This improved victory (41-18) against the Parisian leader acts as a “breath of fresh air” and allows the Auvergnats to go back to 10e place in the French championship. “This victory did us good, in our heads and in our bodies. Especially since this match was won in style. But the road is long, we must not coax ourselves into self-satisfaction, especially with things that may disappear”tempers the former international center.
Especially since the Durban players fully intend to become the first South African team to win an EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby, organizer of the two European Rugby Cups) competition. “That gives us something in common… Or a subject of discord. We will try to fight it out on Saturday. May the best win !”, encourages Aurélien Rougerie. After its overwhelming victory against Ulster (53-14) on April 13, ASM Clermont Auvergne is the last representative of France in the competition.
The match will be followed live, this Saturday, May 4, from 1:30 p.m., on France 3 and on france.tv, before the Challenge Cup final three weeks later in Tottenham.
