Stuart Lancaster (Racing 92 manager after the victory against Castres 34-30): “We controlled the match during the first half hour. But then, our indiscipline allowed them to stay in contact. We started very well in the second half but, once again, we went down. I also think that we negotiated their yellow card very badly (against the Guérois pillar in the 26th minute). We take six points at that moment. We still have a lot of work to progress. What is very good is the performance of our scrum, which was very dominant. Dimitri (Szarzewski, forwards coach) works a lot. We have, I believe, the best touch, offensive and defensive. I know that in the Top 14, the scrum and the touchline are critical sectors. Let’s say we are good at the moment but to win, you have to be “world class”. We still have work to do on that. »
Martin Méliande (Racing 92 flyhalf): “I was very well surrounded all week and during the match (it was his first start). There was still a little pressure but I felt comfortable. We will see in the video what was good and what was not so good. We started well but then we got a little lost due to our indiscipline. We couldn’t put things in place the way we wanted. Castres defended well, it must also be said. »
Jérémy Fernandez (Castres scrum half): “For the first twenty minutes, we don’t exist. Given the nature of the match, this point taken here, where it is complicated to report something, is very good. Getting the ball out on the last action (at 34-30, the CO had one last possession in its 22) was the wisest choice. Last year, we left with nothing, we learned from our mistakes. We didn’t have many balls in the first half but after two or three minutes of play, we recovered penalties which allowed us to stay in contact. We showed a different face in the second half. »
Jeremy Davidson (Castres manager): “In the first half, we were in very difficulty. They had 80% possession and they could have scored two more tries. It would have become too heavy to return. We knew how to stay aggressive defensively and stay in the match thanks to penalties. We mark our first fifteen points on foot. This point is very positive. Jack Goodhue’s premiere? He’s coming back from ankle surgery and he’s still a little short physically. But we see that he is a very intelligent boy, in defense and attack. He makes very few mistakes. »
2024-01-06 23:05:51
#Stuart #Lancaster #Racing #92s #victory #Castres #lot #work #progress
