Paris (AFP)
"We are the first concerned!" The former third line of the XV of France Louis Picamoles regrets that the players are excluded from the debate around the harmonization of the international calendar. "The players must be listened to, heard ...", explained the Montpellier to AFP.
Q: What is your opinion on the debate around the international calendar?
A: "It's complicated. Nothing has yet been decided: there are a lot of differences, which persist between the Leagues and what World Rugby wants to set up. Not everything has been validated ... Everyone has interests that diverge. With the crisis, we still do not know if rugby can resume its normal course, especially international matches. The crisis has hurt everyone, everyone wants to find their way around. And the only solution , it's the matches. "
Q: But don't you feel that the players are kept out of the discussions?
A: "(closes) Yes. Clearly. What we can blame for these exchanges is that the players do not feel that they are an integral part of the debate. So that we are the first concerned! you are talking about an international match, you are talking about an absence from the club too. We are involved. The players must be listened to, heard ... Not only on this subject. It is a discussion with many, an entity must not have more power than the others. There are decision-makers but the players' voices must have an impact. "
Q: According to the different scenarios studied, the players would play five, six, seven or even eight matches in the fall.
A: "It's an eternal debate. The most complicated is the duplicates. The more international matches, the more the clubs will be + impacted. This is not new in rugby but if we move on at eight games in November, that will inevitably lead to additional duplicates. "
Q: Are players playing too many games?
A: "This debate is not new. We have a special status, we earn a very good living with our passion. It is always quite delicate. We cannot have everything, the financial balance of rugby is fragile. If we are talking purely about the physical integrity and health of the players, yes, we can ask the question. Personally, I am someone who likes to play. As soon as I can be on the field, I want to "be there. Even if you have to know how to listen to your body. If you chain on weekends, the body can be in trouble, it's undeniable."
Q: Do you understand the position of French clubs who want to limit this international window of the fall to five matches?
A: "I am only a player but yes, I can understand them. The crisis has been very hard for clubs, federations ... for everyone. There is often this debate around duplicates which penalize more or less certain clubs. There are more than before and there, we would like to add more! If we play eight matches in November, plus five for the Tournament, plus the normal recuperation weeks ... we are at fifteen weeks, at least, without the internationals in the clubs. It's been almost half the season without part of its workforce. "
Q: Was it really a good time to revolutionize the calendar?
A: "But when is the right time? It's been a while that there has been a common desire to change things. Is there a good time? We had to think about it anyway and do things to see if it is possible. There will inevitably be dissatisfied people, clubs or federations who feel aggrieved ... but if there is a desire to harmonize the calendars, we must pass the step , even if it's not obvious. "
Interview by Nicholas Mc ANALLY
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