1. A victory but “things to say”
“The objective was to continue winning at Jean-Dauger. It's done. » (Sunday) evening captain Baptiste Chouzenoux can be laconic: Bayonne secured the essentials with its victory over Stade Français (21-13). But did not completely convince or reassure after his heavy defeat in Toulon (39-19). The fact remains that the success, as laborious as it may be, allows the Bayonnais to return to a comfortable 5th place as they move on to the Challenge Cup, where they aim to reach at least the round of 16.
Top 14: Bayonne will only retain the four points
If only victory is beautiful, then the Bayonnais will be satisfied with it. At the end of a boring match against Stade Français (21-13), this Sunday, they signed a sixth victory at Jean-Dauger, their fifth in the last six matches, and are 5th in the Top 14
Facing the Parisians, the Ciel et Blanc found themselves for a long time, if not almost all the time, coming up against a compact wall, offering few playing possibilities. “There was a false rhythm, they came with intentions, all week we knew that they were going to bring the aspect of physicality, related Esteban Capilla, author of the second (and last) essay of his team. So we were warned, but frankly, it hit hard. We still responded.”
Problem for the Bayonne bulletin: the absence of spectacle and surge in the score was not only due to the rough play of the visitors. Inability to set rhythm, inaccuracies, indiscipline, the problems were numerous for this return to Jean-Dauger. So much so that the blow was not so far away for the Parisians, who must regret the few points left at the foot by Louis Carbonel or curse Giovanni Habel-Küffner for his exceptional return on Léo Barré, launched towards the try. “I think the defensive bonus point would have been deserved,” said Pierre-Henri Azagoh.
“We’re not yet halfway through the season. I think we will be able to position ourselves at that point, see where we measure ourselves.”
“In terms of content, there are a lot of things to complain about. We had a lot of possessions, possessions which did not allow us to harm this team. And then, we were too fragile in the zones of the 22. Whether it was the exit zones, camp exits, where we were put under pressure almost every time. And in the scoring zone, at the end of the match. We must do better in these areas,” listed Grégory Patat.
A rather imperfect copy which does not really allow us to know where this Aviron Bayonnais is located. Certainly, Uzair Cassiem and his partners took their 5th victory in 6 meetings on Sunday. But 4 of these successes were achieved before the long international break in November. From ? A good spanking in Toulon and, therefore, four points without convincing on Sunday. “We are happy. But there is still a long way to go, Chouzenoux admitted. We're not halfway through the season yet. I think we will be able to position ourselves at that point, see where we measure ourselves. »
In the meantime, the Ciel et Blanc can turn a little more calmly towards the Challenge Cup, for which ambitions have evolved.
2. Affirmed European ambitions
Because it's no secret, the European Challenge is not the most popular competition in the world of French rugby. Before the final stages, she doesn't really unleash the general public. But it is precisely these round of 16 that President Philippe Tayeb announced he was aiming for, explaining that his players were demanding “ambition to play in the Champions Cup”. So on Sunday, after the victory at the Stade Français, the Bayonne violins were tuned to affirm the conquering state of mind before the first match, Saturday (2 p.m.) against the Scarlets.
“We have a job to do, a goal for this tournament,” said Uzair Cassiem. “In previous seasons, we didn't really play it to our fullest. We focused on the Top 14. But this year, the president showed us his ambitions. We are going to play it hard, we want to win it, continued Esteban Capilla. Personally, I don't need to motivate myself more than that. In any case, playing with professionals, whether at Jean-Dauger or outside, already motivates me enormously. »
The young (21 years old) 3rd row is not the only one eager for playing time with the first team. The Challenge Cup is usually an opportunity to give the club's young talents a chance. More generally, Rowing's new squad depth necessarily implies that players need to show themselves, whatever the competition.
“Like every year, I’m going to open my group. I am going to take stock of the situation in terms of my players, availability and physical freshness too, specified Grégory Patat. It will be an opportunity to make rotations, connections between players. But no, that doesn't mean that we are going to denigrate this competition. »
Of which act.
Capilla is thinking about 2028
In negotiations with Aviron Bayonnais to extend his contract, Esteban Capilla has not forgotten the French rugby sevens team. Deprived of the Paris Olympics because of a thigh injury in Madrid during the last stage of the world circuit, the 3rd sky and white line intends to participate in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. “It’s in the back of my mind. For now, I'm focusing on the XV. My goal is to establish myself as an indisputable starter at the club, and why not in the XV selection. If we can find an arrangement for 2028, in Los Angeles, I will do everything to be part of the adventure at the Olympics,” he explained at a press conference.
