For this trip to Bourgoin-Jallieu (this Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m.), the Racing Club Narbonnais staff decided to make a real strategic choice in its three-quarter line. Thus, the usual winger Pierre-Hugo Ducom will be associated with Peter Betham in the center, when Parataiso Silafai-Lea’ana will take his place on the bench.
Since the arrival of Peter Betham at Racing Club Narbonnais, the trio of coaches had never tried to associate him with Pierre-Hugo Ducom in the middle of the attack. A normality since the last time that the latter was aligned with the number 13 on his back, we have to go back to the 2022-2023 season, a certain December 12 in Dax, evening of heavy defeat (45 to 6). At that time, the Australian international was still a Provence Rugby player. But this Saturday evening, to face Bourgoin-Jallieu (6:30 p.m.), the two men will pair up. Used to starting on one of the two wings, as has been the case almost every time for almost two years, the older brother of the Ducom siblings knows the center position perfectly.
A very strategic choice
It is indeed his favorite position, before becoming essential with the number 11 or 14. For his sixth season in orange and black, Pierre-Hugo Ducom will return to his number 13. And for him, “It doesn’t really change much. The two positions are similar. I’m going to have a little more involvement in first-hand throws. I’m going to have more balls in the center of the field. But I’ve been training myself to this post all week to compensate for Pierrot’s absence (Pierre Nueno, package for a slight sprained ankle, editor’s note). I will do my best and do everything possible to have a good match.”.
This decision to integrate Pierre-Hugo Ducom into the center pair is a real strategic choice. Especially since Parataiso Silafai-Lea’ana is on the bench. “Pierre-Hugo will bring his speed, his ability to beat defenders. It’s a bet, not taking a risk. He is connected defensively, and then we can also bring the dynamite side of Taiso during the match”explains Julien Seron, manager of Narbonne.
Arriving from Tyrosse during the 2019-2020 season, Pierre-Hugo Ducom will experience the joys of playing closer to his brother, Étienne. “It’s true that we’re often each at the other end of the pitch. It’s cool to be next to each other, especially since we obviously have a good connection. And then Peter communicates a lot too, I’m going to “Adapt to him and follow his path. He will make my job easier.”assures the native of Mont-de-Marsan.
At 29 years old, and after a high-level season with 10 tries and 1,704 minutes played in 23 starts, Pierre Hugo Ducom will therefore be positioned at center. What if this surprise from the chef turned out to be a real success in Bourgoin-Jallieu?
