RC Vannes moves tonight (8 pm) at Guy-Boniface stadium to face Mont-de-Marsan, second in Pro D2 before the 11th day. Faced with a "historic team", the Britons want to show their ability to face the biggest cars.
Mont-de-Marsan, hunk
At the time of evoking the Stade Montois, current 2nd of Pro D2, the Vannetais know that they go to a stronghold of French rugby. "Mont-de-Marsan is a very dense team, with good ball carriers, great qualities in all positions. They have the squad to play the Top 14 and it's been several seasons that they are not far, " says Gerard Fraser. Indeed, since returning to Pro D2 in the 2013-2014 season, Mont-de-Marsan has played in a Top 14 (2014-2015) and three semifinals in the following three seasons.
During his two trips to Guy-Boniface stadium, RC Vannes has always declined (33-3 then 38-11 last season). No reason to doubt the coach of the back as to the possibilities of his group tonight: "When you win against a top team like we did two weeks ago, against Carcassonne (39-22 ), it gives confidence to the staff, the players, the whole group. It makes us say that we have to compete against historic teams as Mont-de-Marsan can be. Whether at home or away, we must enter the game with the will to do something. Last year, we had held an hour " " Our desire is to annoy them as long as possible, " confirms the second line Rémi Picquette.
The time of emancipation
With 14 changes compared to the XV having started against Beziers, this RC Vannes there is therefore a team "reworked", between the wounded (Pic, Lagioiosa) hanging (Hickes) and the need to blow the frames. The choice to let Dan Tuohy and Manoa Vosawai at home can also be explained by their suspension in case of next yellow card, the staff probably not want to take this risk before the reception of Montauban next week.
This meeting is therefore an opportunity for the selected players to finally express themselves in the match, as explained Rémi Picquette: "There is a very good player who has arrived this season at my post (the Irish Dan Tuohy) so we must make our way. Dan helps me a lot, we learn from players like him. But this match is a chance for young people like me or Pierre (Maïau, holder of the post of pillar). "
Read also. Manoa Vosawai: "Still a lot of work"
Salawa back to Guy-Boniface
Arrived this summer, injured his knee early in the season and returned to the field for the trip of the Britons to Angoulême, the Fijian Vilikisa Salawa sign this Friday in Mont-de-Marsan his second tenure under the colors of the RCV. A club he knows well for having played four seasons (2013-2017), becoming even better test scorer on a season (2014-2015) with the Yellow and Black. "He comes back to Vannes, after a more difficult experience in Agen Top 14," said coach Jean-Noel Spitzer at the signing of Salawa. Little used until now, the 26-year-old winger has the opportunity to shine against his former partners.
The teams :
MONT DE MARSAN: Azpiazu - Laborde, Ratu, Torfs, Cabannes - Tales (o), Ormaechea (m) - Pearce, Garrault, Brethous - Damiani, Rey - Negrotto, Khribache, Muzzio. Alternates: Latterrade, Hugues, Du Preez, Becognee, Loustalot, Courtade, Wakaya, Desmaison. Coaches: David Auradou and Christophe Laussucq.
RC VALVES: Popelin - Salawa, Mourot, Vulivuli, Gougeon - Moeke (o), Payen (m) - Kamikamica, Jones, Abiven - Picquette, Cramond - Maïau, Blanchard, Neparidze. Replacements: Cloostermans, Sénéca, Delangle, Boleinaivalu, Le Bail, Burgaud, Duplenne, Kite. Coaches: Jean-Noël Spitzer and Gerard Fraser.