Toulouse (AFP)

Anthony Jelonch should play Sunday against Toulon, at the end of the second day of the Top 14, his first match with Toulouse, a club that the 25-year-old Gersois, captain of the Blues during the recent tour in Australia, confides in an interview with the 'AFP have "always admired".

Q: What state of mind were you in before your Toulouse debut?

A: "I can't wait to see the stadium full for my first at Ernest-Wallon! There are a lot of Stade Toulouse supporters at home (he was born in Vic-Fezensac, in the Gers), it's a club whom I have always admired. I already knew people here and that made my integration easier. The atmosphere is great. I can't wait to play with them now! "

Q: You have found one of your best friends in Toulouse, Antoine Dupont ...

A: "We are very close friends on the field because we have known each other since ... Since always in fact! We played together in Auch, Castres, in the France team and we will do it now with this Toulouse Stadium jersey which We were both dreaming when we were younger. We've come a long way since our beginnings in Auch, then our roommate in Castres. Playing together here, it's going to be a great moment. "

Q: Do you have the feeling of changing the world when you reach the Toulouse Stadium?

A: "Even if Castres is a great club, very well managed, and that I was able to win the Shield there in 2018, when you see the Stade's record, it's necessarily grandiose. All these titles mean a lot anyway. on the quality of the work that is done here. I have always supported this club. I especially remember the two consecutive titles (2011 and 2012). The player who marked me the most at that time was Thierry Dusautoir . "

Q: The current generation brought the club back to the top with a European Cup-Championship brace last season.

It will be difficult to do better ...

A: "They had an exceptional season and I can tell you that everyone wants to relive that. This group is hungry for victories. We will be the team to beat, but I very quickly felt that everyone liked that challenge. "

Q: When you sign at Stade Toulouse, it's also to play with the best.

Did the departure of Cheslin Kolbe in Toulon disappoint you in this respect?

A: "He's a beautiful player to watch but, frankly, there are a lot of other great players in this team. I think we can do a lot, even without such individuality. The collective above all! "

Q: Personally, the competition will necessarily be tougher in Toulouse ...

A: "I have always believed that competition makes you better. My goal is to prepare as well as possible to make big matches."

Q: And settle as a holder in the France team?

Blues captain Anthony Jelonch warming up before a match against Australia, July 17, 2021 in Brisbane Patrick HAMILTON AFP

A: "The French team is of course a goal, but the competition is fierce too and that will first require great performances in the club."

Q: What memories do you keep, in hindsight, of the Blues tour in Australia?

A: "The victory in the second test (28-26). We were predicted to be hell and we answered present. We lost the first match alone (21-23) and it's a shame ... The third, we are also in the race to win it (loss 30-33). I remember three high-level matches that have made us all grow up: the neo-capés and those who, like me, did not have much experience in Blue. It's going to be good for everyone. "

Q: You were a captain in Australia.

Could this be made to last in the absence of Charles Ollivon, who will not be available for the next international window?

A: "No. I think my captaincy in Australia was for the tour. Undeniable leaders will come back in November. We'll see with the staff."

Interview by Julien CARRERE

© 2021 AFP