Installed in the soft underbelly of this ever denser Pro D2, with six victories and nine defeats (31 points), the SUA seems worth better than an anonymous place in the soft underbelly of the ranking. What needs to be corrected? What needs to be improved? What reasons for hope? We take stock.
1 The observation: recurring “air holes”
Arriving through the front door during an XXL presentation in Armandie, the former coach of Bleuets, 2023 world champion, quickly understood that he was going to have to close the windows. History of chasing away these air currents which, in ten or twenty minutes and three attempts conceded, swept away the hopes of victory. Sébastien Calvet noted that his group could, in the space of an instant, shoot itself in the foot like in Grenoble (37-10), Soyaux-Angoulême (30-29) or Béziers (34-24). “Air holes that piss us off as much as they do you,” complained back Franck Pourteau. “We have been able to progress in many sectors,” underlines the Agen manager. But this one, I wouldn't say that it becomes worrying, but if we want to win against the best, we must not have these air holes. »
“We were able to react with game intentions, a form of control and a combative state of mind”
2 What to do? Focus on character
After four defeats in a row including, it's true, three away games, the Agenais were able to move forward, and in style. “We were able to react with two matches at home that we had to ensure [victoires bonifiées face à Oyonnax 28-14 et Aurillac 43-17, NDLR]. With game intentions, a form of mastery and a combative state of mind. We did it,” recalls Sébastien Calvet. Again in Brive, for more than 60 minutes, its players stood up to one of the big guns of the Pro D2. Enough to recall the fierce defensive sequences delivered by an SUA which knew how to disgust more than one, talk about it to Nevers (35-17) who broke his teeth during 10 minutes of possession before scoring his try.
3 The observation: the glass ceiling of the top 6
This limit explains, in part, the revision of the “high” objective of the SUA, namely a place in the play-off at the end of the season. During this first leg, Agen will have lost among all the candidates for qualifying places: Grenoble, Provence Rugby (21-18), Béziers, Biarritz (30-26) and therefore Brive (32-18). Only the Dacquois stumbled in Armandie (20-10) when Montauban (18-25) and Bosviel (18-25) came to inflict the SUA's second home defeat. A setback that will have to be remembered during the return phase when Aixois (January 10) and Biarrots (January 16) come to inaugurate the new year. “A real turning point,” warns Sébastien Calvet.
4 What to do? Bet on the game
With eight receptions for seven trips, the return phase will be an opportunity to allow Armandie and its public to benefit from a desire to “play the game” that has been reclaimed and rediscovered. With ten tries in the last two home matches, the SUA attack and its winger with 7 tries, Iban Etcheverry (already the total of last season's top scorer, Sosene-Feagaï), are taking full advantage of the ambitions of the Agenais staff. “We saw the game we want to play,” appreciated the manager. Be careful not to overplay though. In Corrèze again, numerical superiority (49e-56e) resulted in risky choices. But with a typical team emerging, while awaiting the returns of the warriors Duputs and Madigan, the SUA can foresee a second half of the season of another caliber.
