The Catalans are starting a block of three important games for maintenance. And the Sang et Or are wary of Castres, not necessarily the right opponent for them at the moment.
This USAP has nothing to do with the one who had a very sad season two years ago (24 defeats in 26 games). Finally, he still has some points in common with the Harlequins of 2018-2019. In addition to a small fifteen players still present in the workforce, Patrick Arlettaz, Perry Freshwater and Didier Plana already occupied a position in the staff.
Although the cards have been reshuffled somewhat since Christian Lanta left this summer with Arlettaz taking over as manager, having these men, scalded, is not futile. “They don’t want to relive this kind of experience. So they are extremely vigilant, ”notes David Marty, coach of the Catalan three-quarters.
Vigilance so necessary when the Top 14 and the fight to stay there become more and more difficult. “We are not necessarily in the nails of our objectives, judges the former international center (37 caps). We miss this match against Stade Français, lost in the last moments (22-23, J7), when we had it in our hands. “Three points less in the standings leaving the USAP in a barrage position, with the same number of units as the red lantern Biarritz, and three lengths behind Brive, 12th.
Air holes after the break
But going to Aimé-Giral is not a peaceful excursion. Apart from Paris, only Pau came to win in the Pyrénées-Orientales, when bigger stables fell: La Rochelle and Clermont for example. “These are two similar teams but which Castres detonates, warns David Marty. The game against the CO will be quite different. Every weekend is challenging for us, and we need confidence to win great games. “
Especially after a lightened European interlude. “We’re a bit of the unknown. Many players did not play in this Challenge Cup, we gave vacations, which means that, from Montpellier, we have not really found each other, ”explains the three-quarter coach.
A trip to Montpellier synonymous with painful memories, symbol of the words of the USAP since the start of the season. At GGL Stadium, Patrick Arlettaz’s men competed for a half-time – 6-6 at the break – before collapsing in the second half and cashing a scathing 24-0. A syndrome already detected in the blood and gold organism in Toulouse (15-15, then 15-37 at the end) or against the Section Paloise. “We lack a bit of consistency. As soon as something goes wrong, you have the impression that everything is going wrong when not, ”regrets Marty.
Two penalized teams
Example speaking with this yellow card received by Alan Brazo from the kick-off of the second act in the Hérault. Ten minutes to 14 when the USAP conceded 14 points and lost all hope of a result. “We panic and that creates an imbalance. A series of small errors makes us lose the thread too easily “And David Marty to fear:” Castres manages very well to lose the thread to his opponents. This team is capable of making you outsmart. She is rough, beefy, and tactically in place. “
Like the Tarnais, the Perpignanais are among the most penalized teams in the Top 14 (on average 13 times per match) and will have to rectify the situation to hope to win this Sunday afternoon. A victory would prove to be precious in this block of three choppy games, points out David Marty: “This series will not definitively resolve the issue of maintenance, but it will be decisive. “
It is certain that with a trip to the Stade Français for the premiere of 2022, and especially a trip to Aguiléra, to face Biarritz, dominating the CO at Aimé-Giral almost materializes as an obligation. So as not to transform a “determining” series into a black series.
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