The tipping point is sometimes difficult to identify. Not for Aviron Bayonnais. Grégory Patat's group had difficulty getting started. After four days, he had eight points and two sluggish victories (Perpignan and Montpellier) for two crushing defeats (Pau and Clermont). The reason? Many injuries at the same position (three-quarter center) and a legitimate time for the new arrivals to digest the system.
It's simple, Bayonne has been leader of the Top 14 since the 5th day, with 18 points taken, two points more than Toulouse and Racing
From ? The Bleu et Blanc experienced a more than encouraging setback in Bordeaux and four successes in a row (La Rochelle, Racing, Lyon and Toulouse), a first in four years at this level. It’s simple, Bayonne has been leader of the Top 14 since 5e day, with 18 points taken, two points more than Toulouse and Racing. “Positive results bring confidence,” judges the manager. And when you have confidence and that energy in a group, you always want more. » Implied a victory in Toulon, this Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. The RCT (5e23 points) is in ambush behind the Basques (4es26 points) in the ranking.
Rotations permanentes
To achieve this, the staff reshuffled their group. Again. Only four starters from the last victory against Toulouse are renewed: Cormenier, Habel-Küffner, Tuilagi and Orabé. Change is no longer a problem on the banks of the Nive. The squad depth allows all combinations. “From the start, we rotated quite a few players, we maintained a rotation each time. It creates emulation within the group. We saw that we were capable of winning away, and we know that we are capable of doing it. »
Rested during the last match, Uzair Cassiem is back. “Everyone has integrated the game project and lives in tune now,” says the South African third row. You can see it: we have increased the standards in training. We are united. Our week of preparation was very good, with lots of smiles in the group. Now we're going to go there with the desire to increase the intensity, play physical, put them under pressure and get the victory. We have not forgotten what happened last time at Anoeta (Editor's note, 10-46 defeat last March). This motivates us to achieve victory. »
Rowing has never achieved five consecutive successes in the first division in the same season in the professional era.
She would make a lasting impression. Rowing has never achieved five consecutive successes in the first division in the same season in the professional era. The “duplicate” would not attenuate anything this time. If there are a lot of people missing on the Var side, the Basque group suffers the same fate (read below).
A favorable calendar
The feat would suddenly have been perfect. Especially given the schedule between now and the end of the first legs. The band led by Baptiste Heguy, captain this Saturday, must face the last two, Stade Français (13e1is December in Jean-Dauger) and Vannes (14eDecember 21 in Brittany), as well as Castres (7eDecember 28) at home. The future could become clearer. Grégory Patat knows it. “I even looked until the end of the block,” admits the technician. Which adds travel to Montpellier (11eJanuary 4) and Perpignan (9eJanuary 25), with the European Challenge at each Top 14 cut.
“If we analyze, we have four trips and two receptions. The goal is to keep our level. We're going to go to identity clubs: Toulon, Vannes, Perpignan… It's going to be tough. I spoke to the players. In my video, I put the Aviron Bayonnais coat of arms in the middle. Let's focus on us. If we get a result this weekend, our beliefs will be exacerbated. Winning four matches in a row in this championship is quite rare. If we manage to continue our positive results, this will inevitably generate things in the group. » What then? This will be the surprise of the coming weeks.
A host of absentees
The RCT is deprived of its internationals Gros, Ollivon, Villière (France), Garbisi, Lucchesi (Italy), White (Scotland), Wainiqolo (Fiji) and Quere-Karaba (France VII). To which are added the injured S. Rebbadj (foot), Tolofua (adductors), Fainga'anuku (ribs), Mézou (adductors) and Gigashvili (adductors), as well as Jaminet (suspended).
As for Bayonne, Carreras (Argentina), Maqala and Tagi (Fiji) are in the selection. In the infirmary, we find Tatafu (knee and ankle), Mori (adductors), Mousquès (hand), Moon (crutch), Bethune (cervicals), Castillon (ankle), Giudicelli (shoulder), Iturria (acromio), Bourdeau (lumbar), Hodge (knee) and G. Germain (reathletics).
