Ambitious and full of desire when the time comes to resume the season, the international midfielder (25 years old; 37 caps) knows that the Stadistes, authors of the double championship-Champions Cup last season, will not be spared from the competition. . The first meeting this Sunday, September 8, on the turf of Vannes, team promoted to the first division (21:05).
You couldn't attack last season because of the knee injury. How does it feel to be able to be there from the start?
It feels good to be able to do a decent preparation, to have had a long enough holiday period to recover from the season finale which was loaded before re-attacking what is shaping up to be quite a long season. We were all very happy to get together, prepare for the coming season and we can't wait to start again on Sunday.
What mood reigns in the group after your double?
The desire is still there, the emulation is very good, everyone wants to continue to mark the history of our club. We know that we will be expected everywhere, by everyone. We will not be allowed to make mistakes, but we expect and we just want to defend what we managed to win with pride last year.
The lot has changed very little, the injured people will be back: do you understand that we can see your big favorites of the Top 14?
Yes, definitely, given that the season hasn't started and that we are title holders on both points, I think it's normal to see ourselves like that. But we don't qualify like that. We just want to keep proving that what we won, we deserve this year as well. We will do everything to fight in all fields and continue to defend our titles. We resume the season with great humility. We will go to a club that just wants to start well in the Top 14. We know what to expect and we take the Vannes team very seriously. From the beginning of the preparations, I had this match in mind.
What does the staff implement to constantly find motivation in the players?
This desire to win every year gives us even more motivation. Once you have tasted and touched the Shield or the European Cup, all you want is to relive those emotions every year. Finally, the motivation is easy to find, the objectives are clear, the squad changes very little, it is a team used to winning titles and that wants to fight until the end of the season to lift trophies again. We will be expected in every way and if we don't respond, we could quickly catch the tide. In this sport, things can go one way or another quickly. In any case, we are ready, we are preparing well and we are going to have a pretty exceptional experience on Sunday night.
Does the fact that the group has changed very little give you a head start?
I don't know, but it sure is nice to be able to keep a team that knows each other by heart for a few years. It is easier to regain automatisms after a fairly long period of leave. It's more comfortable to attack a season, but it doesn't give us the guarantee of having a great season or keeping the game we had last year. […] Every year, the level of the Top 14 and the European Cup is higher and higher, we know very well that we will have a target on our back. We will have to be prepared and expect any terrain to be hostile. We are aware of it, we know it, we have been getting used to it for several years. This must serve as motivation, preparation, vigilance and because no gift will be given to us.