Benjamin Urdapilleta is more excited than ever at the idea of facing Bordeaux-Bègles (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.). For the first sold-out match of the ASM this season, the Jaunards will have to sublimate themselves to knock off the second place in the Top 14.
Benjamin, was there any annoyance and irritation this week, after your big defeat against Stade Français?
Of course yes. When you lose by thirty points, we're disgusted all weekwe are not happy. We lost in Paris, without taking any bonuses so we were obviously upset. Outside, we can't yet repeat what we produce during the week. We never manage to play the match we want to play. It's frustrating because we're happy at home, even if everything isn't perfect.
Christophe Urios affirms that this reception of Bordeaux-Bègles will be the equivalent of an away match, in terms of intensity. How do you approach it?
UBB is a huge team even if a few internationals won't be there, they are strong everywhere. We'll see if we can compete against them but I have no doubt, all the players need to be focused. Bordeaux can win anywhere like they did in Toulouse so we expect a very tough match. It’s a test match for us! Everyone will have to have a great day otherwise it will be difficult.
UBB has won three of its last five trips to Clermont, how do you explain it?
Indeed, we talked about it a lot. Last season, the match was decided to nothing and I think we deserved to win. We don't have the key to knowing why we don't win against them. We are preparing to play a test match as I said. It's exciting to play this kind of match, in a sold-out stadium, under the sun. I take advantage and I am excited about this type of meeting because I also know that I don't have much left.
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What can you say about your association with Baptiste Jauneau?
He's a great player, he continues to learn, while I'm finishing (laughs). We get along very well on and off the pitch. We have to be able to guide the team towards the same direction. We have an important role and our job is to try to open the game and establish the connections in the team system.
What will be the real key point of this meeting?
We placed emphasis on rucks. Without a good ruck you can't play rugby. This is one of the central points of our difficulties in the game. We don't have enough fast rucks that last less than three seconds, we lose a lot, we get countered… So we really worked on that this week.
Against Stade Français you had a lot of trouble getting out of your camp. What is this due to?
When we always play at home or in our five yards we are more stressed and under pressure. And as I said, when we have rucks that are not strong enough, number 9 is under more pressure. But our role at the hinge is to be more peaceful even in these conditions.
What is your opinion on connected mouthguards?
It's not very comfortable to wear it but I only have six months left (laughs). But if it is good for the safety of the players it must be done. But if I have to go out when I feel good, I will get angry, I know myself, especially in an important match! But you have to adapt to the rule.
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