We have had quieter introductions.
For its new Champions Cup campaign, Racing 92 was not spoiled in the draw, inheriting a heavyweight: the Irish province of Leinster, reigning European vice-champion.
Ile-de-France manager Laurent Travers sets the scene:
“This team has nine consecutive wins this season.
Their last two defeats were in the final of the European Cup
(against La Rochelle)
and in the semi-final of the URC
(United Rugby Championship, against the South African Bulls).
They are four times European champions.
Of their group of 23 players, 20 are in the Irish team.
Currently, what is
the first nation in the world?
Ireland...
Just that.
On a fine series of five successes in a row in the Top 14, including a convincing success in Toulon with a revamped team, the Ciel et Blancs are passing a serious test of growth on Saturday.
Find out where they stand against one of the competition's most feared teams.
“There is no apprehension but motivation,
continues Laurent Travers.
Afterwards, the draw did not spare us with Leinster and Harlequins, we have a very tough group.
We will almost face the Irish team, it's a good confrontation.
We are happy but aware of what awaits us.
»
“We will have to directly challenge Sexton, to get him out of his match”
The challenge is daunting for the Ile-de-France residents who have never beaten the Dubliners in three confrontations.
The last dates back to the final of the competition in 2018 in Bilbao where Racing had to deal with several twists of fate (quick injury to opener Pat Lambie, drop missed in extremis by Rémi Talès).
Opposite, Jonathan Sexton's band impresses.
“We are all very impatient.
The Champions Cup
is a priority objective for us,
hammers the Scottish opener of Racing, Finn Russell.
Leinster made it to the final last year and they have consistently had strong results in this competition in recent years.
It
’s a very big entry game
.”
And the Irish-Scottish duel between Finn Russell and Jonathan Sexton will be closely scrutinized.
But the Alto-Séquanese flanker Wenceslas Lauret has his own idea of what to do about the master player of the XV du Trèfle, who passed through the Hauts-de-Seine between 2013 and 2015:
“He is a brilliant player, who loves to lead on field.
He had very good results with Leinster or the Irish team.
It will not be necessary to look at him and even directly challenge him, to get him out of his match.
Because he tends to come out of his matches when he is attacked a little too much… ”
“It is also thanks to the shows that Racing is present on the front of the stage”
And Finn Russell to add:
“He knows the game like the back of his hand.
I imagine he will be behind a lot of their attacking moves and when they choose when to attack, he is the one who senses which spaces to take.
(…) He is an exceptional player, he is one of the best openers in the world, it is always a good challenge to face him.
Read alsoFinn Russell: “The Champions Cup has always been a priority objective for Racing 92”
This clash at the top will take place on Saturday at the Océane Stadium in Le Havre since the Nanterre Arena will host concerts by rapper Orelsan this weekend.
A new constrained and forced relocation, which will force the Racingmen to quickly take their marks in an enclosure that they do not know.
A disadvantage ?
“We made the choice to play in Le Havre, we are not going to say that it is a disadvantage
.
We know the situation.
There are shows at the Arena and it is also thanks to the shows that Racing is present on the front of the stage,
sweeping Laurent Travers, simple, basic
.
We hope that the Racing public and the Le Havre public will be present.
To witness the expected showdown between two of the best teams in the competition.