With a reshuffled team, the USAP had a nice meeting in Toulouse. Despite the defeat (43-34), the blood and gold returned with some certainties. In particular in terms of squad depth. Where Franck Azéma insisted in his recruitment.
“We made a lot of changes at the start and we wanted to know if we could count on everyone. There was a big message sent by the group. It’s very positive.” Franck Azéma knows it. If his team was not able to win a small bonus point in Toulouse (43-34 defeat) on Saturday evening, the manager was in any case able to see that he could rely on 35 competitive players to battle every weekend. ends. And that, at USAP, is not commonplace in recent seasons. There is, for the moment, no victory to validate all of this. But it’s a safe bet that it will ultimately pay off in blood and gold. This performance at Ernest-Wallon will ultimately be one of the highlights of the season. It’s a certainty.
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So’otala Fa’aso’o impresses, Ignacio Ruiz seduces
By beating Toulon last week (26-22), USAP had finally achieved its first success and started a positive dynamic. Thanks to a team which has regained all its strength, with the return of all the internationals who were missing and an infirmary which has been emptied. However, Franck Azéma and his staff had decided to make fourteen changes in the starting XV for the trip to the French champion. Just to gauge everyone a little, and see the strength of character of each. The players gave them back well. “The good thing is that last week, there was one team. This time, it was another one. Whether it was the guys who stayed at home or the ones who were on the field, and that will be the case for the rest of the season, we are all in the same state of mind. And that, on the other hand, bodes good things. It’s encouraging.”, rejoices Kélian Galletier, who was captain of the USAP for the second time in his career. He, like four other players, was starting his first match of the season. In his characteristics, he had a full match with 12/13 in tackles and two defenders beaten.
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But the player who impressed the most was undoubtedly So’otala Fa’aso’o. Yes, he received the yellow card which hurts (30e). But number 8 was monstrous with the ball in hand. With each of his percussions (9), the Samoan constantly moved forward. His three beaten defenders bear witness to this. The former Brive player also distinguished himself in defense with two good scratches in a dangerous situation for the Catalans (25e43e), or his two huge tackles (100% in the sector) on François Cros (48e) and Thibaud Flament (56e). For his first with USAP, “Sooty” Fa’aso’o scored a lot of points against Toulouse, and it would not be surprising to see him follow up against Montpellier next Saturday.
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Find the formula to take points
Finally, continuing his good start against Toulon, hooker Ignacio Ruiz continued to seduce with overflowing activity in all areas of play, and a very nice 14/14 in tackles. At 22 years old, the Argentinian still has areas for improvement, particularly in throwing, but his potential is great. That of the Catalan workforce, too, from now on. “It’s interesting to be able to rely on all these guys. There are quite a few solutions available in coaching, and it’s becoming very interesting”assures the USAP manager.
From now on, the blood and gold must find the right formula to win and take points. Encouraging performances are good. Successes are better! But USAP’s last two outings against Toulon and Toulouse offer interesting guarantees for the rest of the season. Place, now, in Montpellier (Saturday 5 p.m. at Aimé-Giral), which, in the ranking, is just ahead, 2 points…
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