After an away game that ended in a draw in Blagnac (12-12) and before three new away games in December, Racing Club Narbonnais hosts the Parc des Sports for the last time this year. This Saturday (6.30pm), Audois must score points against Rennes to stay on the right bandwagon.
Before receiving for the last time in 2022 at the Parc des Sports, Racing Club Narbonnais first had to evacuate all the frustration accumulated at the end of the draw in Haute-Garonne last Saturday, in Blagnac (12-12). A match that could and should have ended with Audois raising his arms and cheering, but in the end he had to settle for just two points against Blagnac. “What is true is that we failed to close this game and get comfortable earlier. There was also the frustration of the referee, who didn’t help us. Afterwards, sometimes we have to be careful with our choices, neither we’ve argued so it doesn’t happen again. Let’s focus on our team so we don’t have this frustration and it means killing the game.”
The RCN coach, Julien Seron, immediately addressed the Rennes reception this Saturday (6.30pm): “We have to use it for extra motivation. It’s the only game we’ll play at home before next year, so obviously we want to win for the players, our fans, our loved ones and also to keep in touch with the top players in the league.” . Victory is imperative.”
On Saturday evening around 8.30 pm, Racing will say goodbye to the Parc des Sports in 2022. It will not return to its enclosure until Saturday January 14, 2023 at the Bourgoin-Jallieu reception. But in the meantime, the RCN must finish in the best possible way at home, and above all collect as many points as possible before moving on to Hyères-Carqueiranne (Sunday 4 December, 3 pm), Dax (Saturday 10 December, 7 pm) and Nice (Saturday 17 December, 6pm). “I hope we won’t fall into the Rennes trap, that we will play a regular game with a win at the end. We have to make tonight a good party”, hopes captain Paul Belzons. Rennes will go to Aude without pressure and, apparently, with the best possible squad.
Promoted to the national team at the last moment after a Federal 1 title last season, the Rennais have had a rocky start. They are penultimate in the league before this 12th day, they have only one victory on the clock in their first 11 games, against Cognac 14-13. But the REC came off a heroic home success in the closing seconds against Hyères-Carqueiranne (20-18). Racing is warned and Julien Seron warned the players about him: “Rennes has nothing to lose. They will cross France to come to Narbonne, between two important home games, against Hyères-Carqueiranne and Nice. We know with what resources this team will play us. We must not burn steps, be good at the basics and then hopefully the lock will give out at some point.” Paul Belzons confirms the words of his coach: “I think we will have a good battle against a euphoric team after the success against Hyères-Carqueiranne. We will have to be ready from the start.”
Even against the penultimate of the Nationale, this last home match of the year does not promise to be the easiest for Racing Club Narbonnais. On an evening of end-of-year celebrations, the “oranges and blacks” would do well to warm up before a terrible month of December.
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For several weeks now, there has been a joke that has been causing a lot of talk at the Racing Club Narbonnais. The third line. He is decimated and should find the key pieces of him in just a few weeks. Captain Flavien Nouhaillaguet – operated on his back this Friday -, Louis-Benoit Madaule, Baptiste Abescat, Bill Caffo – operated on his hand this Friday -, Arthur Christienne – operated on his thumb -, so many elements of the Narbonne workforce who do not return until February. Adding the absence of Thibault Clauzade – a sprained knee – it is already so much for the “orange and black” staff that he has had to find solutions. In the professional group, only Paul Belzons, Luke Nakobukobua and Guillem Montagne remain available for this confrontation with Rennes this Saturday (6.30pm).
“We will have a balance”
If these three players are starters, the reflection has mainly focused on the substitutes’ bench. “We could have lowered Valentin (Sese) a level and placed another second row. But we believe that Martin (Vaca) can give us more energy”. Julien Seron argues his point: “It’s also to leave Valentin in his preferred position. If we change him further back, we should have made other changes. So we don’t disturb the line-up. We have great faith in Guillem (Mountain) who will be in charge.”
More used to playing number 2 or 16 than number 19, Martin Vaca has nevertheless already played in the back row in his young career in Argentina. The 21-year-old also played there with Racing hopes to help out. But this Saturday he will have a good card to play. Captain Paul Belzons trusts his teammate completely: “I don’t think Martin has anything to be ashamed of in the back row. Since the beginning of the season, every time he’s played, he’s been explosive. He’s a great tackler, scratcher. It’s a shame for Bill (Caffo) and Arthur (Christienne) , but he smiles at Martin. Every injury is a fatality, but behind what is beautiful in Narbonne is that young people are pushing for their chance.”
In rugby union, the positions of hooker and back row have a close relationship, especially in the running game. But, in terms of conquest, the two roles still have several differences. “We have to use Martin’s qualities. He will bring us density”, continues Julien Seron. Specify: “With Martin we will still have a balance. The big difference is that he won’t throw, but he will make the boys touch. The combinations, he knows them very well, then we’ll have to see in which position he will have to enter. We trust him.”
This Saturday against Rennes (18:30), Martin Vaca could prove to be more than a solution in the back row.
Martin Vaca, solution in the third line
Christmas. This meeting against Rennes was marked up for Christmas by Racing Club Narbonnais. A real Christmas market will be set up on the square of the Parc des Sports which fans will be able to access as soon as the doors open at 4.30pm. During the pre-match, the World Cup match between France and Denmark will be broadcast in the fans’ cellar.
supporters. The RCN Supporters’ Association is organizing the away match in Hyères on Sunday 4 December (3pm). Departure at 9:00 avenue Pierre de Coubertin. Compulsory booking and payment on Monday 28 November from 2 to 5 pm at the office which will be held at the Amicale headquarters under the Clape grandstand. Register with Michel Saisset on 06 88 01 33 48.
