Questioned at a press conference on the eve of the arrival of Montpellier, the three-quarter coach of Stade Toulouse Clément Poitrenaud spoke of this match for which his team will be deprived of its internationals, and spoke of the excellent form of his center Pierre-Louis Barassi, retained by the management of the XV of France for France – Wales.
This Montpellier team is ready to join the group of 6. Do you fear it?
There was a real turning point in their season. Just after the break, they changed their tune on the content of their rugby and it must be noted that it is rather very effective. They are on a long streak of matches without defeat, they lost in Bordeaux but they took a bonus point. They have really gone on strong since the break. It's a team full of confidence, which masters its rugby. Whether you like it or not, they demonstrate great mastery. They are very effective. Obviously we fear this team, even more so with the current conditions, with 27 or 28 absences on our side. Between the internationals, those under 20 and the 10 or 11 injured people we know of, we are missing a lot of people. The week was very rejuvenated, but we worked well. We are confident, but we expect a complicated match.
How did you, as a coach, experience this very big victory against Leicester?
I would have preferred there to be three fewer tries against Leicester and three more against the Sharks in South Africa, especially since we created the opportunities to do so. In any case, we were satisfied to see the players connected in this way: when everyone plays for their partner, when we don't take too many steps. In the end, it's a bit of the highlight of the season compared to what we worked on every week in terms of rugby. Now, with no offense to the Leicester team, they didn't give us much opposition and quickly gave up.
Is it easier, when there are so many people leaving, to bring the team back to Earth from the first training session?
There was a lot of energy as soon as training resumed, like every time we start this double team period. I believe that we have been preparing for these periods for years. The players know their role, they know that they will be involved during this period in an important way, regardless of their playing time during the season. Those who stay put a lot of effort and energy into it. It's true that when you're a coach, you listen in a special way during these periods. When the stars are there, sometimes there are topics for discussion. They also have their analytical skills and that's why they are great players. It's true that with young people, it's quite fluid and it's rather pleasant. As I said, we had a very good week in terms of intensity, in terms of content. It gives us confidence, it won't necessarily give the result this weekend, but in any case, we will approach the match with some certainty in terms of play.
What do you think of Paul Costes' season, which is in the confirmation season?
Year two is always difficult. Obviously, the first year is just a constant bonus, and then there is this label of the young person just starting out. Year two is difficult because his status has changed, because obviously he took part in very important matches, notably in the final stages of the Champions Cup last season, where he started, apart from the eighth against Racing, but he returns early because Pierre-Louis (Barassi, editor's note) is injured. Otherwise, he started in all the matches. The opponents have a different look at him, and we, for our part, have also raised our level of demands compared to him, which is normal. So there you have it, it's a little more difficult, but he remains this player with a lot of temperament, talent, and we are counting on him a lot, especially from now on.
-We know that this Montpellier team is quite proud of being tough, of being difficult to play against. What can we do to counter this team?
We can congratulate their manager (Joan Caudullo, editor's note), who had the intelligence at one point to change his mind, and to rely on what they do as the basis of this game, that's that is to say conquest, occupation, defense. And having spent a little time with him, I see that we recognize the touch of Bernard (Laporte, editor's note) who is also very keen on this so the two must get along well! The challenge will be to respond to their physical challenge, the intensity they put into the combat phases, whether on the conquest, but also and above all in the rucks regardless of the location on the field. And then it's a team that has this ability to corner you in your camp, to make you make a mistake, and then they use their strength in the last meters to score. It's a rugby that could be described as a little minimalist, but which has proven itself and is extremely effective.
What is your view on the evolution of Pierre-Louis Barassi, who remained in Marcoussis?
When we recruited him, we did it so that he was at this level, obviously. He experienced some physical problems, and then he was coming off a rugby that was rather structured, a system rugby if I may say so. With us, it's true that he had to readjust to a slightly different rugby, which requires decision-making. Its adaptation therefore took a little time, but today it works well. It's normal that he is taken with the XV of France, because he has made a lot of effort, and his work is paying off. Congratulations to him. We are very happy to see him at this level. Now it has to last.
In recent years, you have generally managed this period of duplication well. Are you wary of the one coming?
Last year, before the doubles, we were fourth or fifth, I think. And when the internationals came back, we were first with X points ahead. We know that part of our season is played during this period, obviously. It's up to us to deal with it and do the best we can. We are at the top for the moment, the pursuers are not very far away. Bordeaux is first, so we will do everything to stay in this place, that is to say in the first two places. But we know it won't be easy.
What is your opinion on the return of Romain Ntamack with the XV of France?
Romain, he is programmed and made to wear this blue jersey. I am convinced that he puts all his energy, all his concentration into it. His ability to tackle this kind of competition is quite incredible. The calm he displays and the calm he maintains before his major meetings, which allow him to master his subject. I'm happy for him too because it's been a long time since he played there. Frankly, he also made a lot of effort to get back to the level he is at today. He was also a little criticized, a little harsh at one point. But Romain is a real great competitor. He proved once again that he did everything possible to be able to return there and perform well with the XV of France. I think this is good news for the France team.
