“Since the cadets, Toulouse has won everything”: Lenni Nouchi confides before the Toulouse-MHR match

One week before the holidays and before the match against Toulouse this Saturday, how are you handling all of this?

I don’t think it’s anything special to understand. We are on a good dynamic, we must try to maintain it. There, we go to the biggest club in the Top 14, we go there to have the best match possible.

You who played with the hopefuls a few years ago, were Toulouse already the team to beat?

Yes, since I was little, in all categories. From the cadets, Toulouse wins. If we haven’t raised our hands often, it’s because they are better than us.

Is the fact that they are the best a motivating factor for the team?

Yes, I think that, inevitably, all teams give themselves this challenge: to compete with the best. As I said, they are the best, but we will do our best.

Seven consecutive victories gives a certain dynamic to the group. Does that change anything?

What really changes is in the locker room. On Monday morning, at training, we smile because we know we won the weekend. Regarding the content of training and the pressure from coaches, that does not change. On the contrary, they are stricter. They see the potential that we can develop.

Playing a match against Toulouse, does that mean pressure?

Toulouse, I think they don’t have the pressure to welcome us. For us, it is there yes and no, we want to continue to perform well, to be proud of ourselves. However, as I said, we travel to play against the best.

The 80-12 (Toulouse-Leicester score last Sunday), what did you think of it?

There wasn’t necessarily any interest. Only one team was playing on the field, I find it amazing to be able to score 80 points for a team like Leicester. For them (the Toulouse residents), it was easy, they walked around the field.

“I never had the chance to win against them”

With the international players selected for the France team, do you think there is a chance?

I don’t think it changes much. I never played against their team one. However, I never had the chance to win against them. Of course, not having the internationals changes something, but they still manage to perform.

The last success dates back to February 2021, have you discussed it with the staff?

Yes, they reminded us. And it’s starting to go back up.

The list of 42 players for the French XV came out last week, how did you experience it? Is there any disappointment?

Obviously, I’m a little disappointed. It was a goal for me. Afterwards, I think I have things to improve in order to hope to appear there next time. I work on it with the coaches and individually, to try to be the most complete player possible.

Have you been contacted by the Blues staff to warn you?

No, I just received a call to inform me that I will be in the expanded group of 56 players. Then, they warned the people selected, it’s normal that I won’t be called.