What is your state of mind two days before the kickoff of this new formula for the European Cup?
Ugo Mola:
We will have to adapt to this new format.
It is no longer a pool as before but crossed matches (four against Ulster and Exeter, Editor's note) inside a group of twelve (the 8 best qualified for the quarter-finals, Editor's note) where there are also Racing, Clermont and other teams who can claim the quarter-finals.
On the double confrontation given to us, we have the most complicated diagram.
Once we have made this observation we do not have time to cry: we must quickly immerse ourselves in the fight and be efficient from the outset against a team (against) which in the history of our confrontations in Irish land (the record) is not very glorious.
It is up to us to respond in this very specific context because we will also have to very quickly reintegrate all of our internationals.
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What is your accounting goal in this mini championship against Ulster and Exeter?
With fifteen points you are qualified.
No doubt a group will be played at twelve or thirteen points.
A defeat and you are no longer master of your destiny and to master everything you have to do four out of four.
The bonuses, the number of tries, the goal average, the cards: everything will count to decide between them.
Offensively and defensively, it will be necessary to be very serious.
After two games we will see more clearly.
"Those who think that with the same ingredients as those of the last three weeks we are going to win in Ulster are bound to be wrong"
Do you consider your team ready to take up this European challenge?
European competition requires a change of gear.
Those who think that with the same ingredients as those of the last three weeks we will win in Ulster are bound to be wrong.
Within the group we are warned, we know where we are going.
And it starts on Friday against a team that we certainly beat three months ago in the quarter-finals (36-8 in Toulouse, Editor's note) but which since has not lost a single match (8 wins in 8 games, Editor's note).
I feel like we did them good (Smile).
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