Author of a double like his partners Fusier and Mouton during his team's big victory against Colomiers (65-19), Grenoble scrum half Barnabé Couilloud nevertheless refused to give in to self-satisfaction, aware of the big challenges that await still his people between now and the Christmas break.
What is your feeling, after having regained first place at the cost of a particularly successful offensive performance against Colomiers?
The contract is fulfilled. Resumption matches are always a little tricky. The result is magnificent, we retain the victory and the offensive bonus. We know where we want to go, and there is still a long way to go to go as far as possible. Against Colomiers, we only took one more step, comforting ourselves with the idea that when we hold the ball and set up our game, we can achieve performances like that. Afterwards, I prefer to win sixty matches by one point than just one by sixty…
Is there room for improvement after such a show of force?
Always. If we need to improve anything, it's our start to the match. We conceded points quickly because we made avoidable errors which could have given them hope. Fortunately, we had this big highlight in the middle of the first half which allowed us to take off.
Also read:
Pro D2 – Grenoble stifles Colomiers
Your complicity with Sam Davies worked wonders in the first half. How do you judge it?
Sam, it's always a pleasure to play with him, especially since it doesn't happen that often to us. It was only the second time this season that we started together, the last one dating back to 2e daytime. We get along well off the field, it definitely helps to have affinities when we play together. He is a very confident player who brings us a lot. Being able to count on a player like him is the best.
After 12 days, the leadership position is no longer anecdotal. Is there a fear of you resting on your laurels, which the FCG has been accustomed to in recent seasons?
The advantage, when you are first, is that you know that you control your destiny. If we do what needs to be done, no one can surpass us. It's good but it's not an end in itself: we've only played 12 matches, we can't afford to be complacent, I think the whole locker room knows about it. We still have three big matches left to finish this match, starting with a complicated trip to Mont-de-Marsan which will be followed by the reception in Brive, where everyone will want to test themselves. Now is not the time to relax.
