On paper, the lights are rather green.
Racing 92 is fourth in the standings with four wins for two losses, before moving to Mayol on Saturday evening (9 p.m.) to face an overdue RCT in search of results.
But, in fact, the Ciel et Blanc are not reassuring at the start of the season.
A lack of consistency and efficiency which is glaring.
Laurent Travers' players are experiencing serious air holes, less good shots which are regular and worrying.
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Gaël Fickou, captain in the absence of Henry Chavancy, does not want to be alarmist. “
We are sometimes frustrated after matches but today we are in the top six. We take pleasure in the field even if we always expect better given the workforce we have. We are happy to have won four out of six matches, he
says.
Few teams have done it so it's satisfying. The most important thing is to win.
"But the center of the XV of France recognizes that everything is far from perfect:"
It is true that lately, it was not necessarily with the manner but it is necessary to know how to be satisfied. We want to raise our level of play and we have the qualities to do so, but the main thing is to win.
"
With the ambition we have, we must do better, we must make more accomplished matches
Gael Fickou
Last weekend, Racing stammered its rugby against the promoted Perpignan.
Pulsive and in cruel lack of efficiency, the players of Laurent Travers had to be content with a very short success, while hell was promised to the Catalans.
“
It was tough, we didn't have a perfect match.
Fortunately, we have four points but it was hard for us.
We probably did not respect this Perpignan team
, ”cursed the second line of the Blues, Bernard Le Roux.
Same observation of Gaël Fickou, disappointed: "
We weren't good, we weren't up to the task. We lacked commitment, we had a lot of actions but we did not materialize them ... We were quite clumsy. We are very frustrated, happy to have won but it is not enough. With the ambition we have, we have to do better, we have to play more accomplished matches.
"
Before going to Mayol to challenge RC Toulon, Laurent Travers returned to a press conference on this victory against Usap to the more than bitter taste.
“
We were happy with the victory, but we were disappointed and frustrated because we played 19 times in their 22m and only scored twice.
In the realism and transformation of domination, we have not been efficient, he
laments.
We will have to be better on this in the future.
In the use of the ball and the last pass, we wanted to go behind the line too quickly or want to score too quickly.
"
"From there to be worried, no"
Without sounding the alarm bell.
“
We are aware of what needs to be improved.
From there to be worried, no.
We know that we are able to do better than what we did there
, continues the technician from Alto-San Juan, who wants to look at the glass as half full.
We keep in mind the first 50 minutes against Clermont which are positive.
We keep in mind the performance against Stade Français.
Our first half against Lyon.
If we only look at what is wrong, it is not good.
Out of six matches, we won four.
From an accounting standpoint, this is positive.
In terms of content, there is room for improvement.
"
What is done is done.
What interests us is what remains to be done.
We know that if we have so much waste, we will not go to Toulon
Laurent Travers
Problem, this inconstancy, these declines were already pointed out last season.
They were glaring during the final stages: a recital against Stade Français Paris in the play-off, then a non-match against Stade Rochelais in the semi-final.
Weeks go by and you never know which Racing you're going to fall into: either flamboyant and spectacular, or messy and not very aggressive.
Saturday night, the Ile-de-France residents will want to redeem themselves for sure against the Var.
“We hope it will be much better from this weekend, otherwise it will not pass.
If we do not do much better in conservation, in realism, we will not go to Toulon,
insists Laurent Travers, who is also advancing a track to explain these sinusoidal services: "
We are also working on the physical for the deadlines on future matches.
We know that it draws physically.
But we must not find excuses.
We know where we want to go and how to get there.
"
What face to Mayol?
It goes first through a shock against Toulonnais who do not have the right to make mistakes in front of their demanding public.
“
What's done is done.
What interests us is what remains to be done.
We know that if we have so much waste, we will not go to Toulon,
repeats the Racing manager.
With the talent and the players they have, we know full well that they are going to want to welcome us.
We have no doubts about that.
We also know the passion and fervor that there can be around this team.
They can be worn.
But we also have talent and good players.
It remains to be seen in what arrangement the Racingmen will be.