Paris (AFP)
Crush to forget.
Thunderous against Edinburgh (56-3), hooker Camille Chat evacuates his frustrating Six Nations Tournament by marching on his opponents: good news for Racing 92, which travels to Bordeaux-Bègles (13:30), Sunday, in quarter European Cup final.
We predicted the worst to them: against Edinburgh and its internationals, including the best player of the 2021 Tournament Hamish Watson or the best test scorer Duhan van der Merwe, Racing 92 was in danger of breaking its teeth.
Like the Blues before them, showered by these same Scots (27-23) in their quest for a first title in the Tournament since 2010.
And then Camille Chat was there.
Hyperactive in the current game, strong on the ground and perfect in his throws in touch, the hooker of Racing 92 took the Scots by the throat.
The 25-year-old (33 caps), limited to 45 minutes of play in the 2021 edition of the Tournament with the Blues, spent his nerves on the players of Edinburgh to forget that he was presented as the future holder at the post hooker after the 2019 World Cup and the international retirement of Guilhem Guirado.
"I had an explanation with the staff of the France team after the game against Wales. I wanted to know the why and how. I was told that I was trusted. But that, for the moment, Julien Marchand was in front because of my injuries and that he was playing good matches, so it's up to me to work and show that I can be present, "he explained.
- Old flanker -
If the staff of the France team watched the round of 16 against Edinburgh, he had his answer: Chat has the shoulders to be the holder at the highest level.
He, the former flanker who went to the front row due to a height problem (1.78 m for 101 kg), carried the Ciel et Blanc for 52 minutes before letting his partners finish the job.
Against Edinburgh, Chat finished with 17 balls carried, 81 meters covered, 5 tackles, 7 defenders beaten and one try.
In short, the Big Cat.
"I was very happy to find my team, my friends. It had been a long time since I had started a match. I wanted to work well and bring my team to victory (...), to respond present and also to put all my energy at the service of the club ", soberly replied the Burgundian after the meeting.
Because Chat isn't the type to pull the blanket over.
Nor to hide.
Then, titillated by the journalists, the rough hooker answered: "First, I wanted to make a good match for my club, for my team. After, inevitably, I also wanted to prove that I can be present on an international match, "he retorted, questioned about his place in the XV of France.
- Leader -
Over time, the native of Auxerre has established himself as a leader.
On the ground, as well as outside.
"His words were followed by action," said Ile-de-France manager Laurent Travers.
"Camille had invested a lot in the week, with strong speeches with the pack of forwards. He put the team in the advance at the beginning. In the strategy, we wanted to work first on this defense, win the duels before playing standing. Camille did it ", added the technician.
Sunday, Racing 92, unhappy finalist of the European Cup, finds the UBB.
Their two oppositions this season in the Top 14 have ended in away victories (17-12 in December, 33-32 in January).
Each time, Chat had started on the bench.
Another revenge to take?
© 2021 AFP