Whatever happens this Saturday at 4 p.m. against Castres, Aviron Bayonnais will be on target with its mid-season objectives. President Philippe Tayeb's club aims to compete in the “real” European Cup next year. This means finishing among the first eight of the Top 14. At worst, the Basques will finish the first legs in 6th place. But they have the hope of climbing onto the third step of the podium this Saturday, remaining undefeated at home where they already have six victories.
Most fans don't know how far away the red zone is. The bottom of the table is not even mentioned in conversations. This says something about the new dimension taken by Grégory Patat's men (4th, 34 points), for his third season at the head of the group. “I don’t know if we have changed our status,” whispers the manager. I often say it: in this championship, there is Toulouse, there is the promotion who is coming up whose adventure we do not know, and in the middle, there are twelve teams very close to each other. »
Rowing has somewhat detached itself from part of the peloton. This will again be the objective of the weekend. “More than our ranking, winning against Castres (7th, 27 points) would mean at least three more points compared to seventh place. That would anchor us a little more in this top 6. Even if we know that we are going to move more times (7) than we are going to receive (6) during the return phase, we are not playing with the same pressure if we are at the top of the ranking or behind on objectives. »
“I almost have two teams”
With already two away victories (Lyon and Vannes), as many as in the last two seasons combined, Bayonne seems to have reached a milestone. “There has been a change in mentality,” says Argentinian international winger Mateo Carreras. We have more confidence in ourselves, in the team, in our teammates. » This is the new strength of a more complete group, where player rotations do not fundamentally change the general level. “For me, we have always had this mentality,” retorts Grégory Patat. On the other hand, today, I have almost two teams at my disposal. »
“We are hungry but we must not get excited. The positive point is that we still have a good margin for improvement”
In addition to the example of Manu Tuilagi, cited many times since the start of the school year, the hinge feeds the discussion with Camille Lopez and Guillaume Rouet, holders of the last two seasons, who have moved back in the hierarchy in favor of Joris Segonds and Maxime Machenaud. Ditto in the center of the third line where Uzair Cassiem, essential in the past, can now breathe thanks to the valuable contribution of Giovanni Habel-Küffner. “I can handle my team the way I want. In the past, we had good runs at Dauger but away from home, we were often in difficulty in the last 20-30 minutes, and unable to respond in money time. This year, even when our content is less good, we can force the decision. »
Including that of being invited to the final stages in June? “We think about it, it’s normal,” smiles Argentine hooker Facundo Bosch. We are competitors, we are hungry. But we must not get excited. Let's look at our performance first. The positive point is that we still have a good margin for improvement. » Said like that, the ambition does not seem excessive for the blue and white who were still aiming to maintain last May. FYI, 13th and Dam is today a small green dot barely distinguishable in the rearview mirror. Pau camps at fifteen lengths.
Bayonne (4e, 34 pts) – Castres (7e, 27 pts)
Lieu Bayonne (Jean-Dauger stadium) Hourly This Saturday, December 28, at 4 p.m. Arbitrator Mr. Rousselet
Bayonne Tiberghien – T. Spring, Maqala, Tuilagi, Carreras – (o) Segonds, (m) Machenaud – Bourdeau, Cassiem, Bruni – Paulos, Chouzenoux (c) – Cotet, Bosch, Cormenier. Remplaçants: Martin, Bordelai, Poloniati, Heguy, Habel-Küffner, Rouet, Lopez, Tagi
Castres Palis – Hulleu, Botitu, Goodhue, Baget – (o) Popelin, (m) Doubrere – Tukino, Papali'i, Babillot (c) – Vanverberghe, Ducat – Corato, Colonna, Tichit. Replacements : Zarantonello, Walcker, Jedrasiak, Nakarawa, Arata, Le Brun, Chabouni, Chilachava.
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