The deal is simple for Christophe Urios: after 15 days, ASM is only 10th in the standings seven points behind Montpellier and the top 6. There are eleven days left to play to try to win a ticket for the finals. .
Impossible mission ?
“
Clermont must obviously play for the top of the table, even if this championship is a jungle.
I think qualification for the final stages will still be between 68 and 72 points, and at the moment we only have 31. You don't have to be good at math to understand that we will need some therefore about forty, and this, while there are only 55 left to distribute at most
”, he detailed during his first press conference.
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For the former manager of Oyonnax, Castres and Bordeaux-Bègles, the Jaunards must
"succeed in reactivating a dynamic and becoming a conquering team again".
The project is vast, as the ASM has returned to the ranks in recent seasons.
Losing in particular what made its offensive identity (inherited from the Vern Cotter years) and showing serious shortcomings in terms of combat and aggression.
“
Clermont, ASM, Montferrand as they said in my time, it's a brand,
underlines Urios.
It means titles, a story, a territory.
Rugby for me is an emotion shared at the stadium with the people who come to see us.
For that, I want to stick to the identity of this team, of this club, but also to the qualities of this group.
“I need to feel my players”
The technician has always recognized this:
“I need to be very close to my players.
They're not my friends, but I need to trust them.
“In Clermont, he will therefore need time to discover his group and identify leaders, even if he has targeted a few such as the third lines Arthur Iturria (whom he has confirmed in his duties as captain), Judicaël Cancoriet (currently shot in the shoulder) and Fritz Lee.
“I need to feel my players,
he admitted after having had interviews with them by videoconference.
Because the “visios” are good, but they are still limited”
.
Read alsoTop 14: "I have a huge desire to take up this challenge", warns Christophe Urios (Clermont)
The preparation week was very short, only four days to prepare for the trip to Gerland on Saturday (2 p.m.), against LOU.
Upon their return from South Africa (defeat against the Stormers and elimination of the Champions Urios), Urios gathered his players, briefed them to explain to them what awaits them.
"Obviously, I will need a little time, not a lot, because the integration must be express, to get to know this group better"
, advanced, on his arrival in Auvergne, the technician also owner of a wine estate.
His plan of attack is very simple.
“We need to go fast and be efficient.
We must clarify the forms of play by moving towards maximum clarity and precision.
For me, rugby is not complicated: they are conquering forwards and decisive three-quarters
, he summarizes
.
We will have to increase the intensity slider both defensively and offensively, otherwise it will not work.
“We take tests that are too easy”
It now remains to be seen whether the Urios-ASM transplant will be quick-setting, starting this Saturday in Lyon, or slower to mature.
“It's important that we improve on the basics like defence, kicking and discipline.
We take tests that are too easy
, ”targeted the new strongman of the Auvergne club.
And to advocate a return to the beautiful game at Clermont, spectacular and formidable, which had disappeared lately,
“this fast game made of dynamic and effective phases on the widths”.
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First elements of response this Saturday in Lyon.
Rhodaniens who will have to be wary, after falling against Brive just after the arrival of Patrice Collazo.
New challenge facing a team that has changed managers.
But the pillar of the LOU, Sébastien Taofifenua, pays little attention to it.
“Sincerely, the arrival of Christophe Urios does not change anything for us, it is not our problem,
he pinged on
Rugbyrama
.
We have to focus on our performance, in particular on our defense and our state of mind.
The Clermontois will surely want to play a good match, but we don't care.
We also want to win.”
Because the LOU, eighth in the standings, has no room for error.
He could indeed see his opponent of the weekend return to his height in the event of a home setback.
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