The RC Vannes pack had already proven that it was capable of competing with those of the Top 14. But its performance against the La Rochelle pack, with its two golgoths Uini Atonio (1.96 m, 145 kg) and Will Skelton (2, 03 m, 145 kg), exceeded all expectations.
The last, conquering melee, which allowed Maxime Lafage to give RCV a nine-point lead (23-14), is a perfect example. The Bretons, certainly over-motivated after the cruel defeat against UBB, put their hearts and guts on the Marcel-Deflandre pitch to stand up to what is best in Europe.
“I had the impression that there were two more of them, they were so massive,” Cyril Blanchard laughed after the meeting. We knew that scrums and mauls were their main strengths. But we knew that it was a sector in which we were capable of competing. »
“Our strategy paid off”
La Rochelle's two tries, scored by Quentin Lespiaucq, came from two carried balls which completely penetrated the Vannes defense. But the Morbihan staff had anticipated this scenario and perfectly knew how to limit these phases of play during the meeting.
“You don't win La Rochelle on the roll of a dice,” explained Mathieu Cidre, the RCV forwards coach. We know that we have put content. We worked a lot on the strategy, wanting to avoid the balance of power. As we saw, they scored two tries based on power struggles. But our strategy paid off. »
“The strategy was not to give them too many balls in touch because we knew that they were really efficient on their maul,” Blanchard continued. The strategy was to leave the ball on the field and trust our defense. I think she performed well today and we really didn't give up. »
The Vannes residents respected the instructions and were able to hold on despite fatigue. “Compared to the other matches, we were in control, in control. In weak times, we were able to regain control by remaining within the framework. »
All the ingredients for a historic victory which should do the heads a lot of good.
