the essential
When they host Saint-Estève this evening, two Albigensians will experience a unique moment. Corentin Le Cam and Adrien Saliès having arrived from Catalonia this summer.
This evening’s match will be somewhat unique for two Neo-Albigensians: Corentin Le Cam (25 years old) and Adrien Saliès (23 years old) wore the Saint-Estève jacket until last season, the Tigers’ opponent of the day in Mazicou. “It’s the first time we’ll play against a team where we have so many friends,” confesses Corentin Le Cam, a pure Catalan despite his Breton name. And Adrien Saliès added: “We signed for Albi for the atmosphere around the club and at the stadium. These are things that impressed me every time I played here.”
The atmosphere at the stadium and the game developed last season by the Orange and Black made the decision for the two Catalans. “It was difficult to leave, but it’s also good to look elsewhere,” they admit with one voice. In addition, their professional inclusion was immediate. Corentin found his place in a physiotherapist’s office, Adrien in a bank. Even if their team is undefeated at the start of the season, its performances, according to the coaches themselves, are not entirely convincing. The two players are nevertheless reassuring: “The group is new, it has changed, there are injuries, it will come. Even if we are not at the top, we win.” They also know that their former teammates will not come to Mazicou to put their heads on the block, Catalan pride obliges.
L’attraction Ben Lam
Chase Bernard and Tristan Dupuy will return to the squad. Fabien Denis, the assistant coach, knows that you have to be on your guard against all the teams, and particularly against the Dragons reserve, which is in 2nd place in the championship, with three victories and a defeat in the golden point in Limoux. This Saint-Estève team climbs into the top four of Elite 1 almost every year, and has embarked on this new exercise with a choice recruit: Samoan international fifteens player Ben Lam.
The winger who played at UBB and Montpellier, who played in the 2023 World Cup with his country of origin, but who long belonged to the New Zealand septist squad, crossed the Rubicon with the ambition of becoming a starter for the Dragons. He will be the real attraction of this meeting.
An additional argument to attract the crowd this evening at 7 p.m. in Mazicou, where the weather should be mild.
Senegal
