Q: Is there any logic in finding yourself in the final after finishing first in the regular phase?

A: "Given the season and the semi-final, it's deserved. But so far we haven't won anything. There's a big chunk left on Friday night and I hope we'll be ready. Finishing first at the end of the regular season doesn't get you anything if you don't go all the way. It's been four years since we qualified for the finals. It feels good to have reached this level It proves that Castres Olympique is competitive, that it manages to slip into the best clubs in France and I hope it will continue. We don't have internationals in all positions, but we have a good effective, even if nobody waits for us every year".

Q: How to explain this regularity at the highest level despite a more limited budget than the competition?

A: "Recruitment is well targeted. We have a good group. The know-how of each player is essential, but so is the interpersonal skills. We want to hurt ourselves for our friend and this solidarity there, we seen in the semi-finals (against Toulouse). We made a lot of mistakes, but we managed to make up for them each time. That's what made us where we are today. really a nice mix this year. everyone is with everyone. There are necessarily affinities, but there are no guys apart, no foreigners on one side and French on the other Everyone is really in harmony and we find it on the pitch."

Q: You were deprived of the final won in 2018, already against Montpellier, through injury.

How did you experience it?

A: "I was completely outside of all the sports. I wasn't even on the field in training. It was complicated, but it's part of life. It currently makes me enjoy events even more, put things into perspective also at times. It makes you want to go all the way. I may have been champion in 2018, but I haven't played much. It doesn't have the same flavor. I almost had the impression to play the final, I was so taken by this match and the Brennus. Even if at the end we know that we did not bring as much as those who played. The players outside the group remained in their role by trying to help the team as much as possible, as do those who are not playing this year".

Statements taken at a press conference

© 2022 AFP