He has arrived. This match feared by all RC Vannes supporters. This match which could, practically, seal the club’s future in the Top 14 or, conversely, completely revive it.
This clash at La Rabine, between RCV (14th) and Stade Français (13th), looks like a last chance match. Even if it would not yet mathematically condemn the Vannes in the event of defeat, it is difficult to imagine them saving themselves when they are already, before the match, seven points from the play-off place. They will then have eleven matches remaining, including six trips…
“I understand that people say it. It’s an image, a shortcut. There is an element of truth because we will no longer be masters of our destiny in the event of defeat. But in any case, this match was going to happen for us, confided Jean-Noël Spitzer on Wednesday at a press conference. We would have liked it to be even later, but it could have been much earlier. That’s how it is! Internally, that’s not the word we use at all. »
“We are convinced that it is still possible”
“We didn’t focus on that,” confirmed Michael Ruru. This week, we focused more on ourselves, on the things we can improve in our game, rather than on the team opposite. »
The Vannes staff logically chose to align all their executives for this extremely important meeting. This will also be the case for Stade Français, where a crisis could erupt in the event of a defeat at the promoted and last place in the Top 14.
“It’s hotter for them than for us in the end,” said the RCV manager. We are in the situation that was planned. We don’t have the feeling of losing ground, of being abandoned or of being a team that is giving up. We want to stay in the competition. We are probably in our place too. Even if I think we could have had one or two more victories. But we are convinced that it is still possible. »
-End of a block of ten matches
The Parisians targeted this trip to Brittany and, last weekend, they sent a reshuffled team to South Africa, largely beaten by the Pretoria Bulls (7-48). This heavy defeat eliminated them from any “European” cup for the season.
“I see that in a good light. If they did that, it was to prepare for this match. If they’re planning it, it’s because they fear us. That Stade Français, with all its means, is obliged to target this match, for us it is a great challenge. »
So far, RC Vannes has negotiated the various turns poorly this season. Whether in Perpignan (13-32), at the beginning of November, or during the three matches played over the holiday period, including two at home (defeats against Bayonne (21-27), in Pau (24-48) and against Clermont (19-20)).
This one falls at the end of the second block of ten games. “It’s very long,” concludes Spitzer. Saturday evening, I hope there will be victory, but the vacation will be deserved. » They will necessarily be softer with four (or five) more points on the clock.
Belgium
