In this unique Champions Cup format, some French clubs - such as Toulouse, Montpellier and Clermont - were not spoiled in the draw.
Quite the opposite of Racing 92 which was rather spared with two opponents not used to the continental finals: the Irish from Connacht and the English Harlequins.
With an introduction largely within the reach of Ile-de-France residents: the coming, this Sunday (4:15 p.m.), to Paris La Défense Arena from the Irish province based in Galway.
A formation "very playful which does not let go", nevertheless warns the third line Baptiste Chouzenoux.
The iconic captain Henry Chavancy is also suspicious: "If there is a poor performance, we can almost say goodbye to the competition."
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The Racingmen are nevertheless starting their European campaign with enormous ambitions.
Unhappy finalists of three of the five editions of the Champions Cup, they do not hide it, they want - finally - to hang a star on their jersey.
Less than two months ago, in Bristol, the players of President Jacky Lorenzetti had foiled in the final against Exeter (27-31).
With the feeling of having missed their game a bit, of not really showing their true face.
"We stumbled on the last step, but there are some who stumbled long before and who had the ambition to go to the final", corrects manager Laurent Travers, who sees in this return of the Champions Cup "an opportunity to bounce back ”.
End-of-game specialists
After this new disillusionment, the Ciel et Blanc could have gambergé, collapsed but, on the contrary, they resumed their march forward.
Delivering solid performances in the Top 14 (five wins, two defeats with bonus), snatching several successes in the last moments, proof of a great strength of character.
The most recent, last weekend, on the lawn of Chaban-Delmas against Union Bordeaux-Bègles (12-17) thanks to a late test by Teddy Thomas.
“This result gives us confidence.
If we put things in order, we know that we are capable of doing great things, especially outside, explained the international hooker Camille Chat to our colleagues at
Rugbyrama
.
With the finals of the European Cup organized at the start of this season, this has brought us some rigor.
The entire Racing group had to meet this level of requirement.
Today, there is real chemistry.
Everyone feels important… ”
“We know that if we lose a game, we will not be able to make up for it. We will go by the wayside… ”
Camille Cat
It is with all of its vital forces that Racing is embarking on a new European adventure.
The Parisian playmaker, the Scottish opener Finn Russell, was injured in October with the XV du Chardon but his recovery went better than expected and he will lead the maneuver on Sunday in Nanterre.
Manager Laurent Travers also recovers his tricolor internationals, in particular his wall piercer Virimi Vakatawa and his mover Bernard le Roux.
Heavy, on paper ...
"More than a sprint"
If the Hauts-de-Seine club is logically one of the favorites to reach the quarter-finals, there is no question of believing itself to arrive, of seeing itself too beautiful.
“We have four finals matches before the finals,” Henry Chavancy said.
For Laurent Travers, “it's more than a sprint”.
No right to false start.
Camille Chat is well aware of this: “We are lucky to be able to erase our disappointment.
It will go through four good games and the final stages.
We will do everything to get there.
But we know that if we lose a match, we will not be able to make up for it.
We will go by the wayside… ”
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Champions Cup schedule and results