QUESTION: What state of mind are your players in after a few days of vacation?

ANSWER: "It feels good mentally and physically. They have all been serious and professional so it's pretty positive. The internationals are already on deck because we need everyone. It's important to reconnect and get back into the rhythm of the club."

Q: How do you prepare for your trip to Lyon?

A: "It's a pretty classic week, with a lot of work to do so we're starting the same pace. There are six games left and to qualify you don't have to lose one."

Q: This match has a lot at stake for the ranking, before switching to the Challenge Cup...

A: "It's an important game. He can make us switch to the right side but it's weird because it's exactly the same game as last season six days from the end (victory of Toulon in Lyon 43-10 on April 2, 2022, editor's note). Lyon had the same number of points but not Toulon and this match had taken away qualification from LOU, so the context is a bit the same and Lyon have certainly learned from that to prepare accordingly.

Q: How do you analyze the season of the LOU, which you were the coach of last year?

A: "In the continuity of past seasons. They are a very offensive and very dangerous team with three-quarters who are used to playing together and who go very fast. It will be a big test for us."

Q: From a personal point of view, how do you apprehend this return to Lyon, the first since your departure from the LOU?

A: "I am very happy to return there, to a club and a stadium where I have very good memories. I'm happy to be back with the men, quite simply."

Q: What do you think of the RCT season so far?

A: "We were very inconsistent in the first third of the championship. In the second one too but it was a little better. But it is not enough. We are lucky to still be in the race for the finals so we will need consistency over the last six Top 14 games and in the Challenge Cup."

Q: This season has been rather eventful between your rumor of departure, that of Cheslin Kolbe, the anger of the fans or the arrival of Dan Biggar... Did you expect it?

A: "We're in Toulon huh (laughs). I knew there would be a lot of work, we talked about it with Franck Azéma (Toulon's co-manager, editor's note). We thought it would take less time but it's taking time. Maybe not in the way we would like to, but we are on the right track. I'm not just talking about the professional team, I'm talking about the whole club and the region. We are trying to mobilize all our forces, to gather and to obtain unity. It's not easy here but we're getting there little by little so I'm rather optimistic. Is that enough? For me, no. We are often in a hurry here and that's normal, we lack patience, but I don't have one either!"

Q: How would you rate the Six Nations Tournament of the XV as France?

A: "It was very challenging, just like the World Cup ahead of us. It promises to be thrilling and challenging. I thought this France team was beautiful and enjoyable and I think they could have done better against Ireland if the game had come later in the tournament. Maybe the Blues lacked preparation, that's the image it gave but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Regarding Charles Ollivon, the higher the level, the higher it goes. So I hope it will be a very high-level match this weekend in Lyon so that we have a great Charles."

Interview by Lucas BERTOLOTTO

© 2023 AFP