The clash of extremes?
This Saturday, Castres Olympique receives Lyon in its lair of Pierre-Fabre.
But the CO is in an uncomfortable situation before the meeting.
After having recently sacked its manager Pierre-Henry Broncan and hired Jérémy Davidson, the Tarn club is more than ever in a hurry and needs points.
Not ideal before facing the team in form of the moment whose performances are impressive.
To discover
Fixtures and Top 14 results
Ranking Top 14
In the last 10 Top 14 meetings, Castres have had only two successes and a draw.
Even more worrying, the Tarn defense is not effective.
Benjamin Urdapilleta's teammates conceded 53 points at La Rochelle at the end of 2022, 41 points at Clermont at the beginning of February, 32 points at home against La Rochelle again and 41 points on the last day in Bayonne.
Against the Maritimes on February 18, the CO had also broken its unbeaten record of 29 home games and lost its manager in the process.
"The real prospect of a descent to the lower floor"
“
I felt that we had to make a decision because we are really in great danger, to change the course of things to get out of it.
It is not the prospect of a failed season that is the cause […] There, it is really the real prospect of a descent to the lower level that made me feel that I could not wait for things happen without attempting a rescue operation
, ”explained Pierre-Yves Revol in an interview with our colleagues from
L’Équipe
.
Filipo Nakosi's teammates will receive three times in four matches.
First the LOU this Saturday, Toulouse for an explosive derby on March 25 before hosting Toulon.
Meanwhile, Castres will move to Montpellier.
In short, the current 11th in the standings will play four matches against contenders for the podium and the top six.
Not easy.
Recruitment from Castres can also explain the failed season of a club that was nevertheless a finalist in the last edition of the Top 14. Leone Nakarawa is no longer the magician we once knew.
Aurélien Azar, Adrien Séguret, Dorian Clerc are struggling to win.
Gauthier Doubrère and Asier Usarraga have made good outings.
Accustomed to the final stages, the Castres must win, they who have only six points ahead of the last Brive and only two on Perpignan, 13th and virtually barrage.
Leone Nakarawa did not bring his magic to Castres Olympique.
Panoramic
In Lyon, all the lights are green
The LOU has found some teeth.
In the league, the Lyonnais have six consecutive victories.
And most often, the team of manager Xavier Garbajosa provides the show.
Four tries against Clermont and Montpellier, five against Racing 92… The Rhodaniens are now third in the standings, just two points behind Stade Français, second.
Like Josua Tuisova (four tries in five matches) and the excellent Davit Niniashvili, Dylan Cretin's teammates are in great shape even if the president Yann Roubert is suspicious as he explains to
Rugbyrama
.
"
It's a beautiful time to live.
Afterwards, we lived through difficult times not so long ago.
We are capable of anything, including the best as we are right now.
This championship is very tight, it can go very quickly in both directions.
We see that second place is not far away, but so is 7th.
We would like to at least stay where we are and we do not forbid ourselves anything.
Especially not to have ambitions.
On the other hand, we keep in mind that we are not safe from anything.
»
Young Georgian Niniashvili has returned to form.
Panoramic
Only downsides in the Lyon ranks: injuries.
Handicapped by numerous injuries at the start of the season, the current third in the standings will have to do without Jordan Taufua, who ended his season after being severely injured in the neck, and Jean-Marc Doussain.
The latter, who seemed to have found a second youth for a few weeks, is affected in the knee and will be out of action for six to eight weeks.
The LOU will however recover in a few weeks Ethan Dumortier and Romain Taofifenua, retained with the Blues.
The LOU could once again be ruthless and crunch a sick and losing confidence Castres team this Saturday.