A few days before the reception of the ASM, our president answered our questions at the Levezou training center.
Did the absence of a match this weekend allow to evacuate the counter-performance of the CO in Toulouse?
Last week, the 4 -day internship in Loudenvielle was very opportune to allow the whole group to turn the page and turn to the most important for us: the reception of the ASM. Our ambition in Toulouse was measured. 11 changes in the team plus 7 injured, it was probably a lot but we hoped for more pride to better compete. Now, this scathing failure will be quickly forgotten if we answer present on Saturday.
Do you understand this meeting?
First, I consider it decisive given our respective positions in the classification. Then, of course there is apprehension. I hardly had in Toulouse but when you are about to play at home a match that can largely condition the rest of your season, it is not the same music.
Especially since in the first leg, the CO had been swept by ASM?
You are right. We had been swept away by their power and unable to counter them. A very long part that we all have in memory. Since the beginning of 2025, CO has fortunately shown significant progress which allowed it to approach this new test in much better posture and in a situation in accordance with its objectives. It is satisfactory but fragile and no one underestimates the difficulty of the task next Saturday. Starting with Xavier Sadourny, who knows the potential of this ASM team well.
Like Christophe Urios knows the CO profile well?
He is a great professional and I imagine well he knows how he can put us in difficulty. It’s up to us to find the parade.
His presence and his reunion to Pierre Fabre give the meeting a particular salt?
This is not the first time and it has already imposed itself with us with UBB and ASM. Afterwards, I think he will always be welcomed here with respect. Nobody forgets that his last 4 -year term, despite the disappointment of the last year, was a pomp’s club with the apotheosis of the 2018 title. In his own way and with humor, he had summarized it when he said after his departure: “I returned to Sandals in Castres and I left for well -waved moccasins. »»
We must also show our gratitude to Benjamin Urdapilleta whose contribution to the results of the CO, like leadership, were exceptional. And since we talk about the past, there will also be on Saturday in our Gary Whhetton stands passing through France and which, as you know, played with Christophe Urios in our colors. Hopefully it will be a source of inspiration for our players even if most of them have not known it.
