Top 14 – Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92): “Montpellier has the best conquest of the Top 14”

How difficult was this last defeat at Sale (29-7) to digest?

This defeat at Sale already hurts us financially because we all know that the Champions Cup is a sprint, that there are only four group matches and that it is short enough to qualify. . Second, your final ranking determines the rest of your competition. We see that overall, the teams which go to the end of this Champions Cup are able to receive in the round of 16, in the quarters, or even in the semi-finals. We finally wanted to take advantage of this match at Sale to look for a little consistency after the victory against Harlequins (23-11) and we didn’t succeed: it’s a bit annoying.

And Montpellier now?

We switch to another competition. Our situation in the ranking means that we have no margin. So it’s a super important match.

Why does your team seem to have so much difficulty in aerial play?

I think it takes us a little longer than the other teams to adapt to the new rule, which arrived a little suddenly. This is not necessarily a sector that we relied on before. And there it becomes essential. We have to adapt, we have to work but in aerial duels, it’s complicated in one week to become the best player in the world under high balls. Until now, we had players who had different profiles (than that made for aerial combat, Editor’s note) but today, the rule has passed and they must adapt and work a lot in this direction. But we must all, around the rear triangle, organize ourselves to best replace the escorts (the players accompanying the jumpers until now, Editor’s note), eliminated by the new regulations.

How is Montpellier’s profile comparable to that of Sale, your last opponent in the Champions Cup?

It’s a team that relies a lot on high balls, a good kicking game and which has a good conquest. Montpellier is perhaps the best victory in the championship, with a fairly dense team profile in one-on-one situations. Today, we know what we are preparing for. And then, Montpellier, which has had good results in the European Cup, is a team with confidence. She built a great group dynamic.

As a leader, how are you handling the difficult situation the club is going through?

This sometimes requires spending a little more energy: we ask ourselves questions, we try to find the best dynamic for the group and find solutions in the game. Because we shouldn’t expect everything from the coaches either. […] Leadership is one thing. But if you speak during the week and on the ground, you don’t respond, people will no longer listen to you. So I focus on the green rectangle on the weekends and during the week I try to bring keys.