Questioned at a press conference on the eve of Montpellier's arrival, the three-quarter coach of the Toulouse stadium Clément Poitrenaud spoke of this match for which his team will be deprived of his internationals, and spoke of the excellent form of his Center Pierre -Louis Barassi, retained by the supervision 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 rifle on the contents of their rugby and it must be noted that it is rather very effective. They are on a long series of matches without defeat, they lost in Bordeaux but they took a bonus point. They have really chained strong since the truce. It is a team with full confidence, which masters its rugby. Whether you like it or you don't like it, they show great mastery. They are very effective. Obviously we fear this team, all the more with the current conditions, with 27 or 28 absences on our side. Between the internationals, those under the age of 20 and the 10 or 11 injured we know 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 the coach that you have experienced this very large victory against Leicester?
I would have preferred that there were three less tests 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 do not do too much. In the end, this is a bit like the highlight of the season compared to what we worked every week in terms of rugby. Now, without offense to the Leicester team, they did not offer us a very important opposition and quickly dropped.
Is it easier, when there are so many people who leave, to bring the team back to earth from the first training?
There was a lot of energy as soon as training resumes, as every time we start this duplicate period. I believe that these periods have been preparing for years. The players know their role, they know that they will be involved during this period in an important way, whatever their playing time during the season. Those who stay, they put a lot of application and energy. It is true that when you are a coach, you have a listening that is special during these periods. When the stars are there, sometimes there are discussion subjects. They also have their analytical capacity and that is why they are great players. It is true that with young people, it is quite fluid and it is rather pleasant. As I said, we made a very good week in terms of intensity, in terms of content. It gives us confidence, it will not necessarily give the result this weekend, but in any case, we will approach the match with some certainty in terms of play.
What can you look at the season of Paul Costes, who is in the confirmation season?
The year two is still difficult. Inevitably, the first year is that bonus permanently, and then there is this label of the young young man who starts. The year two is difficult because his status has changed, because obviously, he took part in super significant matches, especially in the final stages of the Champions Cup last season, where he was holder, apart from The eighth against Racing, but he returns early because Pierre-Louis (Barassi, editor's note) is injured. Otherwise, he was holder on all the matches. The adversaries have a different look at him, and that we, on our side, we also set up our level of requirement in relation to him, which is normal. So there you go, it is a little more difficult, but it remains this player with a lot of temperament, talent, and we count a lot on him, especially from now on.
-We know that this Montpellier team is quite proud to be tough, to be difficult to play. What to do to manage to counter this team?
We can congratulate their manager (Joan Caudullo, Editor's note), who had the intelligence at a time to change his rifle, and to rely on what they do the basics of this game, it That is to say conquest, occupation, defense. And for having spent a little time with him, I see that we recognize Bernard's paw (Laporte, Editor's note.) Which is also very worn on it so the two must get along well! The challenge will be to meet their physical challenge, the intensity they put in the combat phases, whether on the conquest, but also and above all in the rucks whatever the place on the ground. And then it's a team that has this ability to get you stuck in your camp, to put you in the fault, and after they use their strength on the last meters to mark. It is a rugby that could be described as a little minimalist, but which is proven and which is formidably effective.
How do you look at the evolution of Pierre-Louis Barassi, staying in Marcoussis?
When we recruited it, we did it so that it was at this level, of course. He knew a few physical seeds, and then he came out of a rugby that was rather framed, a system rugby if I can afford. With us, it is true that he had to readjust himself to a slightly different rugby, which makes decisions. Its adaptation has therefore taken a little time, but today it works well. It is normal that he was taken with the XV of France, because he has made a lot of effort, and that his work is paying. Congratulations to him. We are very happy to see it at this level. Now it has to last.
In recent years, you have generally managed this duplicate period. Do you be wary of the one who arrives?
Last year, before the duplicates, we were fourth or fifth, I believe. And when the internationals returned, we were first with x points ahead. We know that part of our season is played out during this period, of course. It is up to us to manage with that and do the best possible. We are at the moment at the top, the pursuers are not very far. 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 that it will not be simple.
What can you look at the return of Romain Ntamack with the XV of France?
Romain, he is scheduled and made to wear this blue jersey. I am convinced that he puts all his energy there, all his concentration. His ability to approach this kind of competition is quite incredible. The calm he displays and the calm he holds before his big meetings, which allow him to master his subject. I'm happy for him too because it's been a long time since it has played it. Frankly, he also made a lot of effort to return to the level where he is today. He was also a little criticized, a little hard at some point. But Romain, he's a real big competitor. He proved once again that he did everything to be able to return, being efficient with the XV of France. I think this is good news for the French team.
