Juventus de Papus-Mazamet, dim. 3 p.m. We take the same and we start again. Mazamet has strengthened its reserve team that has been promoted to D1 but the R2 group is unchanged. The group is, however, very tough with four teams coming down from R1 and a promoted team with a long tooth. The first trip sends them to Toulouse to face Papus’ Juventus. The Toulousains had a great start to the season last year before going downhill in the second half. They finished in the middle of the table just behind the Mazametains. Like any Toulouse team, you never know what you’re going to come across because there are so many player movements in these clubs. As coach Escalier says: “This is the year of confirmation for us and it’s certainly not the easiest.” We’ll have a first indication on Sunday evening.
Grisolles – Saint-Juéry, dem. 8 p.m. Saint-Juéry has bet on stability with a few changes but no major upheavals. The staff is back for a season and Mikaël Bertrand hopes to confirm the good intentions seen last year. The season starts with a complicated trip to Grisolles. A club used to the R2 jousts and always difficult to maneuver at home.
L’Union/Saint-Jeau II – Saint-Sulpice, start at 7 p.m. The off-season has been eventful at Saint-Sulpice with the arrival of Charef Charouf as head coach accompanied by many players. Many will discover R2 and it is therefore with a certain apprehension that the season begins. All the more so when we play the reserve team of L’Union/Saint-Jean. A team that promises to be formidable, especially at the start of the season. Regardless, the new coach who arrives from Colomiers is confident: “We worked hard, the players adhere to a new playing philosophy and I am excited by this new challenge.” Assisted by Pascal Saint-Arroman, previously reserve coach, he has committed to a project and wants to settle permanently at Saint-Sulpice. The most difficult thing today is to find team cohesion and make choices “there are so many players in training” says the new coach.
