The recovery against Montpellier
“We want to get back to competition.
What's great is that we start with a big big challenge.
There is nothing better.
(
On the inaugural setback last season against Toulouse
) There was this defeat, we hate losing to Deflandre, whatever the time of the season.
We also remember that we lost against Montpellier at the end of January.
We want to show something else to our public.
Getting a first win at Deflandre would be great.
So as not to start chasing points.
Last year, we missed a play-off at home for a point.
When you see the number of points that we have left on the way, it can make you angry..."
To discover
Schedule and Top 14 results
Ranking Top 14
Last year's defeat against the MHR in Deflandre
“There is a little pride.
They had surprised us on two tries with good combinations.
We have been warned.
Last year, they showed throughout the season that they have a lot of quality.
It is up to us to prepare well and not leave anything to chance.
(…) We watched their past matches a bit.
But we remain focused on our system.
Read alsoTop 14: Montpellier, the champion now has a status to assume
His duel against Zack Mercer
“He gave us a hell of a season last year!
He's a great player.
Afterwards, I don't focus on a player personally or a duel.
It's the best thing to miss the game.
I will focus on me to make the best of my matches.
Give the best of myself.
At the final whistle, those who want to compare will be able to compare..."
His fitness
“I don't want to talk too fast but I feel good.
The preseason did me good.
Last year was a special year, very long season before (
marked by the Covid, editor's note
)... A lot of disappointments, very short physical preparation.
The flight had been longer.
There, we found ourselves with more lightness, more confidence, a little more of everything.
We'll see this weekend.
I can't wait, like everyone else, to measure myself against Montpellier.
(...) I have set myself personal objectives, to find a weight of form, a state of form in which I feel good.
During these four-five weeks of preparation, we work for the whole season.
Montpellier is only a stage.
A busy season before the World Cup
“We've been waiting for this World Cup for a few years (
in France, editor's note
).
But a lot can happen in a season.
Playing at 50% or favoring one match or another is the worst mistake to make because you can lose everything.
In the France team, there is a group with a lot of qualities, I am convinced that no one is installed.
A bad season and you can quickly end up on the bench or out of the group.
You have to take the steps one after the other.”
Read alsoA Top 14 against the backdrop of the World Cup
What has changed at Stade Rochelais
“It's hard... We don't take a step back to look at what happened.
Frankly, I feel like I have the same club as when I arrived.
Just as simple, with the same values.
But, in each area, there are more resources, more precision, whether in sports or administration.
Last season, we played the final (
Champion Cup
) in Marseille, we needed all the organization that was around, all the families of the players had a precise program from Monday.
We were received in a great hotel on Thursday.
Everything is done much better, but everything remains very simple.
With great humility, respect and discretion.”
The retirements in the 3rd line of Vito, Liebenberg and Gourdon
“They are very great players.
They were very important people in our system.
But they did not leave a void, those who arrived brought a lot of good humor.
They are very present on and off the pitch.
There is a good atmosphere, a good osmosis in the group at the moment.
