Special Envoy to San Sebastián
To discover
- Schedule and results Top 14
- Top 14 Ranking
The preparation of this semi-final
"We can't wait. We were able to discover the place (the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian), nobody knew in the team. It was important to come here. We have done everything this season to find ourselves in this position. It's a step that we will have to cross tomorrow (Friday) night. Beyond the training camp we had (in Portugal), we gave ourselves an extra weekend of rest before this semi-final. This is important because the last few weeks have been grueling. It feels good to be able to cut, prepare, work on the small details. And also good to spend time together, to move, to be only between us, quiet."
Its state of freshness
"Physically and mentally, we are much better this season than last year (Toulouse went through the play-offs, editor's note). We were lucky that the season went well for us from an accounting point of view, we remained at the top of the standings (leader for 24 days out of 26, editor's note). Even during the period of duplication that cost us dearly last year. This gave us time, comfort so that the staff could manage the squad in the best way. We had more rest periods. We didn't have to fight for qualification at the end of the season, it drew on our resources last year. We have a lot of appetite to get as far as possible this year."
"Obviously we want to bring back the title... »
Toulouse, a status of favorite to assume
"It's especially the whole group that has this desire to win. When you sign for a club like this, it's because you have ambition and you want to win things. When we have a season like this year, where we are first all season, obviously we want to bring back the title. Even if we have had the chance to experience this in recent years, we all still remember last season (two defeats in the semi-finals, Top 14 and Champions Cup, editor's note) which left us with a bitter taste. As much to us, the players, as to the staff and our supporters. We all want to bring something back, but before we think about that, there's a game tomorrow (Friday) to get to the final."
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His view of Racing 92
"They are true to themselves: with few balls, they are able to do great things, score tries from far away, they have players of great talent who are able to make differences. Even if they were brought up (by Stade Français), they were able to maintain the score and score this try at the end that closes the match. They knew how to bring danger with ultimately not much."
Toulouse remain on three defeats in a row in the semi-finals
"Last season was in a completely different context. Things are different today. We obviously have this semi-final in mind against Leinster (defeat in Dublin). There were a lot of disappointments, a context that was not favourable: having to move, an injury, a yellow card at the beginning of the match. Against teams like that, it doesn't forgive. Despite this, we could have given ourselves the means to get back in the game... But we won't do the game again. It gave us a boost of appetite and motivation for the end of the season. To have even more desire to bring back this shield to reward the great season we had. "
Remarks at a press conference