Castres (AFP)
Despite his 12th place, Castres coach Mauricio Reggiardo is confident that the 2018 champion "is still in the loop to finish in the top six" of the Top 14, before the 14th day and Saturday reception of Racing 92.
Q: Castres remained on two setbacks without appeal to Clermont (39-22) and Toulon (43-3) but the qualification for the quarter-final of the European Challenge, the first continental quarter since 2008, seems to have been good to your team?
A: "This qualification in the quarterfinals (after 5 victories in 6 matches, editor's note) did good to the head, yes. It brings confidence and it is very important. I think we are right , with the players, the staff, we work well. It took a long time to find a good functioning but I adapted my convictions to the qualities of this group and to the players that I have ".
Q: We do not feel particularly worried when the CO occupies only 12th place in the Top 14?
A: "Me, I work with the British classification (difference between the performances at home and those outside, note) and there, we are only -1 while the Agenais (14th) are at -10, Pau (10th) at -5 for example. For the last qualifying place, Montpellier is only +3. What we lack is an away championship victory. The situation is not delicate , but you need to be careful."
Q: Is the arrival of Racing on Saturday a turning point for the OC season?
A: "I am an optimist and I always see the bottle half full. I think we are still in the process to finish in the Top 6 and with the players, it is always the goal that is set. The three matches that are coming (Racing and Pau at home, Agen away, editor's note) will condition our season. It starts with Racing, a team that is capable of speeding up, which has ambitions in its game but which can also, if necessary, practice a much more pragmatic rugby. And then Toto (Laurent Travers, Racing coach, editor's note), he always takes it to heart to make a good match when he comes to Castres (he trained the CO between 2009 and 2013, note). "
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