Toulon (AFP)
With Louis Carbonel at the opening and Anthony Belleau, usual number ten replaced in the center, Toulon does not lose: since the tenure of the two kids against the Scarlets, this duo has been systematically renewed, for five wins and a draw.
A victory on the wire (17-16) against the Welsh, then two other successes in the European Challenge and two victories in Top 14. The men of Patrice Collazo have not lost since November 22 ... and even the champion of Toulouse France broke its teeth there (13-13), Sunday, in front of its audience. What give the desire to repeat the experience against Castres in Mayol Sunday (18:00), for the 13th day of Top 14.
Associated with Baptiste Serin, a newcomer to the half-scrum post, Belleau (23) and Carbonel (20) seem to be flourishing. Behind a package of impeccable forwards, they are the ones who distribute the game, "a bit like the English with George Ford and Owen Farrell", described Serin after the victory against the London Irish (37-17).
This game system is not new on the Rade: "These are things that we have already done with François Trinh-Duc last year," said the Var coach at a press conference.
The versatile profile of Anthony Belleau, as well as the failed camp exits which cost the victory against Montpellier on November 9 (17-17), pushed Collazo to choose this system: "We are lucky to have two 10s very good level. It's something I like. "
Author of remarkable performances since his arrival in Toulon, Serin confirms "to rest on both", which offers him "several arrows to his bow". The former resident of Bordeaux-Bègles appreciates being able to "dispatcher on two sides of the field or on the same side", to create uncertainty in the opponent: "It's more complicated to defend".
- First in Blue for Carbonel? -
Holder of the opening nine times this season, Louis Carbonel says "helped to have good players like that next" to him. The double world champion under 20 "exchanged a lot" with Belleau and Serin, "to find himself better and better in each match".
If the son of Alain Carbonel, former player of the RCT in the 80s, is in charge of camp outings, it's Anthony Belleau who remains the chief scorer.
"When there are ten of us, we would like to do everything," recognizes Carbonel. "But you have to know how to delegate a bit and + Antho + succeeds well so it makes sense". Belleau culminates in fact with more than 80% success in front of the posts, which "relieves the management of Louis Carbonel, who can devote himself to the distribution of the game", adds Collazo.
"But we also need to have other options," warns the Var coach, "because, for the moment, they are doing a lot." Carbonel and Belleau played 399 minutes and 432 minutes respectively in six weeks. And the Toulon group, which has no other openers, is not immune to injury.
It is their success that the two players could be called in the list of 42 players from Fabien Galthié for the 6 Nations Tournament (February 1 - March 14). If Anthony Belleau has already worn the blue tunic twelve times, Louis Carbonel has never been called to the A. But the Toulon results and his agreement with the other international Baptiste Serin could open the doors of selection.
© 2020 AFP