The esprit de corps. Racing 92 manager Laurent Travers demonstrated this on Thursday and defended his player Teddy Thomas. The international winger, currently training at the Marcoussis training center with the XV of France, was singled out by the press for his defensive errors last Saturday in Cardiff during the victory of the Blues (23-27). An analysis that does not share at all the technician of the Ile-de-France club who faces La Rochelle on Saturday (3.30pm) in the Top 14.
"It went a bit far and we must stop," said Laurent Travers first, about the most acerbic critics, most of them on social networks. "It is important to respect the man," adds the coach, for whom "it is always easy (to criticize) when we freeze the image". "He is so on another planet, he is so strong, is racing the scrum half and Thomas' partner in club, Teddy Iribaren. He is capable of the best as well as the worst, when he is the best everyone loves him and when he is less good ... People today have a little easy criticism, they let off steam on social networks. "
An example of a posted tweet
Teddy Thomas at the tackle since the start of this tournament ... #GALFRA #WALFRA pic.twitter.com/jfssJHNE5B
- Lord Vader (@OldOncleJo) February 22, 2020Excellent in Top 14 (6 tries, 3 rd best scorer) and best test scorer in the European Cup (6), Teddy Thomas is far from having the same performance during the Six Nations Tournament. For now, the "serial marker" has crossed the goal line only once, against Italy (35-22). Saturday in Cardiff on the lawn of the Principality Stadium and in an ultra-defensive encounter and where the balls to play in attack were few, the winger experienced waste in defense by scoring a tackle in two. On his wing his acrobatic pass for Antoine Dupont who brought the decisive kick on the opposite wing for Gaël Fickou ultimately served no purpose. The Parisian's test having been refused for a forward. Despite this performance, the XV coach of France Fabien Galthié called Teddy Thomas again among the 28 internationals prepared to travel to Scotland, the fourth match of the Tournament (March 8, 4 p.m.).
“Teddy is someone who likes challenges and contrary to what can be written or said, he will take up the challenge and take it up well. He is capable of doing things that no one can do, ”said Laurent Travers. In January in the European Cup, Thomas had achieved a great performance against Munster, registering two tests, one of which was a tightrope walker.
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"Today you are less than nothing but if he wins the Grand Slam in France it will be the king. Either way, you need to be measured, ”concluded Travers.
