Nafarroa (3rd/38 pts) – AS Layrac (10th/25 pts)
AS Layrac
The group: Roux, André, Makaafi, Fihaki, Brethous, Da Silva, Cuqel, Tesquet, Decottignies, Péré, Lucy, Thillard, Ompraret (cap.), Boué, Hahn, U. Afatia, Viguier, Bastien, Raffanel, Purnot, Pajany, Ben Hadj Khalifa, Joly, V. Afatia.
Lieu Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (Baïgorry stadium).
Arbitrator Danny Groizeleau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine).
Hourly This Sunday at 3:15 p.m.
The calendar year did not end well with a blow to the head at the last minute and the defeat at home against Gujan (19-20). AS Layrac is now the first non-relegation, with only 4 points ahead of the 4 Cantons, on 11e. And when we know that the two teams will face each other in the north of the department on January 26, there is everything to realize that we must no longer play with fire.
“We have to make more physical and mental efforts during money time”
This Sunday, the Layracais will not have an easy task to resume with this trip to the deep Basque Country, against Nafarroa. In the first leg, the Basques surprised with a lively game and won at Pénétro (15-27). They are now ranked 3es. So, is the focus more on future events with the reception of Lourdes and the derby? Is this trip to Nafarroa just in wake-up mode?
Layrac knows he is expected
Coach Eric Bourdeilh immediately refutes this way of seeing things: “We need to perform straight away. We make no difference between the opposing teams, we no longer have time to procrastinate. » But how can we reverse the trend, even if it is true that in all the last matches, except perhaps at Tyrosse, the Layracais were still in the game. “Commitment and motivation must be at maximum for 80 minutes. Above all, we must make more physical and mental efforts during money time. We don’t win the last four games right at the end every time. »
The recovery conditions are not optimal with the mud at Pénétro. “This was seen on the individual technique, the training on the synthetic is appreciable among the others. In any case, the guys were motivated and serious for this recovery which began on January 3,” concludes the backs coach. And the adversary in all this? : “It seems that we are eagerly awaited, we will be ready. »
On the player side, Decaunes and Papa are just recovering, Imanov and Gaston are suspended. On the comeback side, the experienced Fa’aoso and Roux will do well.
