A week after its worst performance of the season on the lawn of Mont-de-Marsan, Rouen Normandie Rugby has the obligation to recover by beating Montauban, this Friday, December 11, 2020 in Mermoz (game behind closed doors).
Rouen Normandie Rugby produced in the Landes last Friday a pitiful performance, sanctioned by a defeat against the penultimate Mont-de-Marsan, winner 15-3 of apathetic Lions. The kind of non-match that worries about the ability of the Norman club to stay in Pro D2.
First of all, there is the very bad accounting operation: by bowing to this direct competitor for maintenance, the Rouennais plunged towards the relegation zone. The ranking certainly shows the local XV in 13th place, but its three pursuers are one game behind (Soyaux Angoulême), or two (Valence Romans), or even three (Mont-de-Marsan)!
In other words, the Lions, with just three wins in 12 games, are virtually second to last. If they don’t shift into high gear right away, the specter of descent will become difficult to keep away. Beyond the result, there is the manner: the lack of aggressiveness and the technical poverty displayed on Friday disconcerting.
This inexplicable shipwreck (Mont-de-Marsan remained on 7 consecutive defeats while Rouen came out of a very positive victory at the expense of Béziers) calls for a reaction of pride from the group of coach Richard Hill. The US Montalbanaise, wedged in the middle of the table in 10th place, will have to pay the price. The 13th day must allow Rouen to believe more in its chances …
Useful information
Rouen Normandy Rugby – Montauban
13th day of Pro 2
Friday December 11, 2020, at 7 p.m.
Mermoz Stadium
Closed-door match
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Photo credit: © André Roques – normandie-photo.com
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