The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Louis Carbonel at Le Figaro: "I love having responsibilities"

2020-09-25T16:59:48.774Z


At 21, the young opener from RC Toulon wants to take a step forward this season. It starts against the Leicester Tigers, this Saturday (9 p.m.), in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.


Le Figaro: In the quarterfinals, against the Scarlets, Toulon qualified in pain.

Is the team still running? 


Louis Carbonel:

A little yes.

In addition, our infirmary fills up a little more with each match, which causes turnover in the workforce.

And automatisms are not created as quickly as one would like.

And then, in front, it was still strong, with half of the Wales team.

We knew it would be very hard.

What points should absolutely be improved for this semi-final against Leicester?


We must first erase the small individual errors to keep the ball longer in the game. It is imperative if we want to undermine Leicester, impose our game. In the intensity and in the commitment, on the other hand, we is very good.

The Tigers are an even bigger hunk than the Scarlets.


It's going to be a big challenge, yes.

They have a lot of internationals, including the hinge of the England team (

Ben Youngs and George Ford, Editor's note

).

But we also have big players.

It promises to be tough, but it's up to us to move up the slider, to be better than last weekend.

"

This final phase teaches us to have matches under pressure of entry

"

With the ambition to start the season with a first title?


It is the objective yes.

We have the chance to play in the finals from the start of the season, which never happens, it is up to us to seize it.

But first the semi-final before thinking about the title (

smile

).

It is a chance ?


Yes.

It teaches us to have matches under pressure from entry.

In addition, we play them at home.

So yes, it's a chance for our progress, for the rest of the season.

If we manage to make positive copies from the start of the season, that will give us even more confidence for the future.

"READ ALSO: Collazo in Figaro:" This period has changed the relationship of players with their club "

Personally, how do you feel after a long physical preparation due to the stoppage of competitions, before suffering a setback with your concussion against Stade Rochelais as soon as the Top 14 resumed?


I feel very good.

With all the training during and after confinement, I'm in great shape.

The concussion slowed me down a bit, but I came back with a great appetite, the desire to show that I too could do good things.

I can't wait to play, to live the rest.

This long, unprecedented preparation ultimately brings a plus?


For players, yes.

Even if we still prefer to prepare only three or four weeks and play matches (

laughs

).

But for the body, it was beneficial yes.

"

I will give my best to be number 10 in RC Toulon

"

Is your personal ambition this season to be the incumbent at the RCT?


Yes.

Play as much as possible in Toulon.

To be installed we will say.

I will do my best to be number 10 on this team.

But above all, I want to win at least one title with the RCT this season, bring a trophy back to the harbor.

You are a young player (21 years old) but everyone emphasizes your ability to take responsibility, to be “naturally” the boss of the game.


That's what I like, what stimulates me.

I love having responsibilities.

The more, the better.

It doesn't put more pressure than that.

On the contrary, I work to play these choppy matches.

The most complicated, when you're young like you, is finding the right balance between trying to hit and respecting the game plan and the instructions?

Do

we need to

curb

 the ants in the legs?


(

Laughs

) That's exactly it!

I am very playful.

I would like to play almost everywhere.

But I've learned in the last two or three seasons that there is a time for everything.

And that here, in Toulon, DNA is first and foremost the front game (

Smile

).

It is therefore necessary to know how to alternate, play but also occupy the foot.

I occupy a strategic position.

Even though I want to send some play, to put some speed, I have to do both.

The RCT and my father were before.

Today, it's the RCT and Louis

Is it more difficult to win in your city, in the club that saw your father play?


No… I mean, I don't know.

It's more a matter of personal journey.

I always wanted to become a professional rugby player, I have always given everything, since I was 9 years old, to achieve this goal.

I did not calculate the rest.

The RCT and my father (

Alain, former three-quarter center of the RCT, Editor's note

), it was before.

Today is the RCT and Louis.

I make my way and try to prove to everyone that I deserve my place.

Can this path lead you elsewhere than in Toulon?


At the moment, I am very well at RCT.

Everything is going well.

One day I may no longer be Toulon but, for the moment, the question does not arise.

I especially hope to live my best hours as a player in Toulon.

Afterwards, if for various reasons, for my career plan, my rugby future, I need to flourish elsewhere, then yes, that may be the case.  

Number 10 in Toulon, we necessarily think of Jonny Wilkinon.

You were still a kid but did you see things about him that inspired you?


I had the chance, younger, to train several times with him.

I was inspired by his way of working.

He loved it.

He was even sometimes abusive at work.

This is really what impressed me.

But if he's been one of the best in the kicking game in the world, it's no secret.

So I try to spend a lot of time in the field - well anyway less than him (

Smile

) - to really work and reassure myself.

I do 15-20 minutes more after each workout to make it fit even more.

I kept Jonny's advice in mind:

“If you want to be better, it comes through training;

if you want to be better than the others, that means training more than them…

Do you sometimes ask him for advice?


I still have his number on my phone, but I know he's in high demand.

So I'm not harassing him for a message.

I check in from time to time.

We have a kicking stakeholder at the club.

If I have a technical question, I ask him.

I'm not going to bother Jonny about that…

"

I would like to go get a first selection with the XV of France

"

Let's move on to the XV of France.

You were in the group of 42 at the start of the year, but never been selected for the matches of the Tournament.

Is it a goal as well?


Of course I think about it.

I am a competitor so I always aim higher.

If I'm lucky enough to be picked up, it will be due to my performances with Toulon.

I would like to go get a first selection, yes.

Afterwards, I think about it but it's very stealthy, it's just in the back of my mind.

I am really focused on the RCT, on the big deadlines to come.

You are double world champion under 20 (in 2018 and 2019) with the Bleuets.

Is it a precious experience to aspire to the XV of France?


Yes, especially human and in the management of the final stages.

I learned to handle the pressure, to produce a different game.

It was very educational.

In 2018, you were crowned at the World Cup in France.

It should make you want to relive it in 2023…


Oh yes!

Considering how it was madness with the supporters when it was only the France team under 20, we can imagine with the more publicized XV of France, stadiums of 80,000 full seats.

At the time, we did not fully realize the impact of our victory.

It was after, when we joined our clubs, that we understood what it meant to win a World Cup in our country.

It is the ultimate dream.

2023 is therefore a goal?


Of course we would all like to be there.

But let's take it step by step.

First, have good matches with Toulon and then we'll see if we're there.

It is still too far to say, even if it is an event that I would like to experience.

Like all French players.

Facing Leicester is the opportunity to face the best English players.

It is the intermediate level between the Top 14 and the XV of France.


Yes Yes.

Last week, it was against the Welsh, there against the English.

It even comes close to international matches.

In addition with referees who leave a little more player than in Top 14. It is therefore even more exciting to play these matches.

Read also

  • Challenge Cup schedule and results

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-09-25

You may like

News/Politics 2024-02-22T06:23:26.455Z
News/Politics 2024-02-22T14:11:42.813Z

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.