This poster could have looked like a fear match between two disappointed candidates in the final stages. But the situation changed last Friday. While the Agenais achieved the feat of overthrowing Biarritz (39-26) 14 against 15, the Neversois claimed the scalp of the ogre Brive (22-23) in Corrèze. Results which have placed two teams still separated by a single point in the standings, but which are now closer to 6e place than that of roadblock for maintenance. It’s not a detail.
“There was a bit of relief after the victory against the BO,” recognizes second row Mathieu De Giovanni. But we quickly got back to work and we quickly planned ahead, because we have an important match in Nevers who have just won in Brive. We expect to be well received. » Warned, the Agenais did not take the road this Thursday noon towards the Pré-Fleuri stadium to pick up daisies. If they took 40 points in 2021 (41-8) and 2022 (39-13), they also brought back a bonus from their last trip to Nièvre (24-19).
Beware of decompression
On alternating current since the start of the season, can the SUA finally string together two big performances? Despite a well-stocked infirmary (Duputs, Lebian, Bonnet, Jouvin, Demotte, Bellot), the suspension of the Lombard-Buret pillar and the executives left to rest behind (Maunder, Etcheverry, Pourteau), the Agen staff is banking on continuity. Enough to avoid a certain form of decompression after the success against Biarrots and finally seek a second away victory this season?
“We will see if we are satisfied with just one good match or if we have a group of competitors who want to string together matches”
“We had a good week with good training on Monday and a very good Wednesday,” assures winger Thibaud Mazzoléni, starting for the fourth time this season with the SUA and who is still chasing his first victory in six appearances (all at home). ‘outside). “We had a big game against Biarritz, we got away from the red zone, but we can’t afford to relax. It may have been a benchmark match, but we didn’t win the championship and there is still everything to do. »
-“A bit the same style”
Close in ranking (10e et 11e), Nevers and Agen are also in the construction of their season (with a big slump) and their base of play. “We know that in Nevers, it will play everywhere, warns Thibaud Mazzoléni. They have a bit of the same style as us, with a big fight in the middle. The conditions should also be favorable for a great rugby match. It’s up to us to maintain the state of mind displayed towards the BO, to continue to prove things and to pay ourselves for all the work we do. »
Very solid up front, notably with a big counterattack, the Neversois also know how to move the ball with a wide-wide game. Forwards coach Dave Ryan warned: “This is a team that has had some difficult times, but they have built up their confidence and found their form. We showed that we also knew how to play rugby against Biarritz. Now we will see if we are satisfied with just one good match or if we have a group of competitors who want to string together matches. We have a big test ahead of us. »
The team
A first and returns. With a trip to Nièvre which promises a tough fight, the Agen staff send their entry warriors. Santiago Socino (hooker) and John Madigan (2e line), replacements against Biarritz, are thus back in the starting XV alongside Farré, Gayraud, Olmstead all returned to the front. Florent Guion returns to the left of the fray after the suspension of Hans Lombard-Buret and his three yellow cards in three matches, while the young father of little Agnès, Tomasi Fineanganofo, takes the wing of the 3e line after Matthieu Bonnet’s concussion against Biarritz. A match which left its mark, like scrum half Dorian Bellot (broken shoulder blade) who, if he escapes the operation, leaves the reins to Théo Idjellidaine and to the surprise Andrea Lucchini preferred to the Englishman Jack Maunder on behalf of the Jiff quota. The young Espoir (21 years old) should celebrate his first professional appearance in front of a three-quarter line where Thibaud Mazzoléni is finding a place on the wing.
