“Shaken” at Mont-de-Marsan, the Agenais want to make it a point of honor to finish their preparation well tonight against Soyaux-Angoulême (National). One last test before Bayonne and the start of Pro D2.
Yesterday morning, between the warm-up and the transition to collective play, David Ortiz gathered his forwards around him. No need to listen to understand the muscular discourse of the Agen forwards coach. The brooding copy delivered last Friday still tastes bitter in the group. “There was frustration at the end of the match, underlines the boss of the forwards. A question of pride too! We, coaches, we fed on it. I noticed a good reaction this week in training. At the same time, as a competitor, you have to react. “
This is the watchword before this last preparation match. A new defeat, against a team that evolves a notch below the SUA, would be messy. And would plunge the team seriously into doubt before the launch of the official season, in just a week, at the announced bayonnais ogre.
Ortiz: “We are preparing Bayonne”
This shock between failures of Top 14 begins to dawn in all the heads of Agen. “We are not going to lie to each other, we are preparing Bayonne”, confirms Ortiz. For this, he expects above all to see his team restore what is the foundation of rugby: “conservation, conquest, defense, discipline. Fundamentals specific to rugby and even more to Pro D2.” Sectors where the SUA was damaged last week against Mont-de-Marsan. But the Lot-et-Garonnais have now – at least hopefully – understood, it will be the basis of the successes to come this season.
On Chanzy’s lawn, it will be particularly interesting to see the behavior of Régis Sonnes’s troops at kick-off. Against Aurillac then Mont-de-Marsan, they had clearly been dominated over the first 20 minutes. “We want combat and intensity in our starts, insists David Ortiz. And behind, master our game patterns, and the launching pads of our game.” Because against Vincent Etcheto’s team, the game will certainly be more open than against the Landais. Faithful to the philosophy of their manager, the Angoumoisins have inclinations for movement and for taking up space. Like Agen who doesn’t like padlocked parts.
Watch out for Angoulême
“Yes, but be careful, things will have to be done in order. Angoulême enjoys this game and, without pressure against a Pro D2, will tend towards that. But let’s not forget the demands of our championship which are different,” recalls the agenais forwards trainer. Especially since after observing the Bayonne – Angoulême match last week (Basque victory 45-7), the Agenais realized that before cracking, the Charentais made life difficult at Rowing. “It’s going to be solid.” And for observers, it’s time for comparisons between the two teams that will kick off the Pro D2…
A real test of character and content is offered at the SUA this evening. After the poor performance of Mont-de-Marsan, we are waiting to see what this group has in the guts for this trip which has everything of a trap match. And in the game, to see him blossom and calmly recite his score. To arrive next Thursday with more certainty at Jean-Dauger.
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