After her ready to Béziers, during the 2018-2019 season, it is Treviso that the 24-year-old scrum-half trained in Clermont put his bags down. Formation of Pro 14, European league which brings together clubs from Welsh, Irish, Italian, Scottish and South African provinces, Treviso challenges Montpellier on Challenge Cup quarter-final, after having already climbed to this stage of the European Challenge, two years ago. Charly Trussardi introduces us to his club and his new life, in his father’s country of origin.
INTERVIEW – Charly Trussardi
What does Benetton Rugby in Treviso look like?
Treviso is a good level club in Italy, there are only two in the Pro 14 championship. In Italy, Treviso is the top. After two years, Treviso has not achieved its objectives, we lose a lot of games, but the level is still good, in my opinion, even if the results are not there. Treviso tries to come back, and we really put everything on the Challenge Cup to restore the image, because the season has been complicated.
In Treviso, when we face Montpellier, we say to ourselves that we are facing a big or an ogre?
We say to ourselves that we are an outsider, no one sees us victorious. It’s a nice challenge, we hope to surprise, show everyone that we are good.
What is the profile of your partners?
There are a lot of Italians, obviously.t The rest, they come from everywhere. We have a lot of South Africans at the moment, but also Fijians, Australians. Like a Top 14 club, in fact.
Why did you join Italy?
Me, personally, I made the youth teams of Italy for two years, U18 and U20. Moreover, after Clermont, I was loaned for a year to Béziers. And after, I had the opportunity to play at a good level and have a different life experience, with the Pro 14 championship. As I am half Italian, I opted for this opportunity with, perhaps, the possibility of accessing the selection.
What is your view on the MHR, which had a very complicated start to the season, which plays the maintenance, but which is gradually recovering?
The same feeling. A club which made a complicated start to the season, but which today seems very dangerous. It’s a Top 14 bottom club, because today it’s there, but I think they have the middle or top level of the table. We see them as a very big team.
How were you impacted, in Treviso, by the pandemic?
Last year, we ended the season prematurely. And this year, we had a lot of games not played, caught up. A bit like in France, I think. It was very strange. Matches canceled at the last moment, due to covid cases. It’s a choppy season, we’ll say.
In terms of rugby, do you have as much pleasure in Italy as in France?
I would say differently. Because yes, Clermont in terms of training, there is nothing better in my eyes. I would say that at the training level, Italy still has a lot to learn, but at the team level, I have a lot of fun in Treviso. It is very enriching.
From Béziers, what do you remember?
I come from Clermont, a real rugby town. But Béziers is also a history of rugby, passionate supporters. In Italy, this is what is lacking. And that’s what makes a big difference. A city that has a passion for rugby, that follows the players, that is interested. And that is what marked me in Béziers. It was still impressive.
Do you still feel that it takes, especially in Treviso?
A little bit, but it’s still light. It takes when you win. Three years ago, when Treviso was winning steadily and had a very good season, it started to take hold. But with the two difficult seasons that followed, it’s a little more complicated. I think it only takes a good season to attract the public, to promote rugby in Italy and to continue to grow.
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