A reunion that promises to be muscular.
The Rugby Club Toulonnais, still looking for the right fuel this season, travels Saturday (5 p.m.) to the Amédée-Domenech stadium in Brive for a rough match.
But above all, during this meeting, the Varois will cross paths with Patrice Collazo, now at the head of the "Coujous" after having been at the head of the RCT between 2018 and 2021. The former manager of Stade Rochelais ( 2011-2018) had had a turbulent start from the Toulon club, which was then out of results.
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Schedule and Top 14 results
Ranking Top 14
Since its arrival in Corrèze, the CAB has found colors with two successes against Clermont and Lyon, leaving at the same time the place of red lantern.
The Collazo effect is felt.
A commando operation for maintenance, launched by a historic success on the lawn of the LOU.
“The hardest thing is to capitalize, to keep moving forward step by step. We took a first step in Lyon which was not easy,
explained Patrice Collazo on Friday at a press conference.
The team did not have too many benchmarks outside, markers on how to win in Lyon.
Before Lyon, we had thirteen teams ahead of us.
Today we have twelve.
We're not going to put more pressure on ourselves.
We know that the return phase involves taking points against everyone.
“They have a new coach and a new dynamic.
They are in euphoria”
It now remains to be confirmed against Toulon, a team armed for combat but which can experience serious failures in the engagement.
The Varois know full well what awaits them.
“We know the task that awaits the group.
They have a new coach and a new dynamic.
They are in euphoria,
warns scrum half Benoît Paillaugue.
We know the quality of this team, especially at home.
It's going to be war in the rucks, they're tough boys to play, but in a good way."
Having surly and dominating forwards has always been one of the characteristics of the teams coached by Patrice Collazo.
On the other hand, Paillaugue does not think that meeting the former strongman of the RCT again
“will have an impact in the camp”
Toulon.
And to add:
“In my opinion, even if I don't know him too well, I think that Patrice will want to beat Toulon more.
We are focused on our game.”
Because it is a fierce fight that awaits the Varois.
Patrice Collazo, in any case, wanted to play down his reunion with the RCT.
“A special game?
No.
Toulon was prepared like Lyon.
I understand that this raises a lot of subjects for a lot of people.
I don't think, moreover, that the Toulonnais made it a special match,
he says.
If we take the Toulon team intrinsically, they have individualities that we do not have in Brive.
“If we let their individualities express themselves, we will take waves”
And the new technician from Corrèze added:
“If we let their individualities express themselves, we will take waves.
The teams at the top of the table look at the classification and tick the small ones.
We cannot be surprised at the investment that Toulon will put in Brive.
For his part, Pierre Mignoni, the Var co-manager, is enthusiastic about the idea of crossing paths with Patrice Collazo, a Var native like him.
"
I'm very happy to see him, he's someone I really like, I like the man.
I've never worked with him but I'm very happy that he has a new project.
He likes building a club so I'm happy to see him again,
he said.
But it stops there.
There is nothing special.
Players will be happy to see him again after the match because when you work with people, you are very happy to see the men you worked with, beyond the players...
"
Read alsoTop 14: the feat of Brive in Lyon
Benoît Paillaugue, French champion last summer with Montpellier, knows what awaits the Rouge et Noir at Amédée-Domenech.
“There is an audience that will push.
It will be a full stadium to welcome Toulon, as often,
he smiles.
We have to use it in our favor.
There will be nothing for us in a hostile environment.
In this context, the victories are even more beautiful if we are able to get it.
“If we can make a move, we can forge a group on it”
Eighth in the standings just four points from the top 6 and UBB, RC Toulon has no time to lose.
And must accumulate confidence after a first half of the season sawtooth.
A victory in Brive would be a founding act, or a new backlash to take.
“Beyond the classification, if we can make a move, we can forge a group on it.
We could rely on that until the end of the season, especially in times of doubt,”
agrees Benoît Paillaugue.
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And to call for mobilization:
“We must be sure of ourselves before this meeting.
When you win in difficult places, where the fight and the state of mind are paramount, it can help put a lot of things in place.
Problem: after having yielded five times at home this season (worst total of the Top 14), CA Brive no longer has time to give gifts.