The Bretons, who move this Friday (20h) in Bayonne, begin a block consisting of three trips. So many opportunities to go grabbing points in the standings.
"A block with lots of opportunities. This is the message that Jean-Noël Spitzer and his staff wanted to give the team before these four games, including three trips. Starting with the one in Bayonne tonight. A match that promises to be complicated, facing the fourth of Pro D2. "Bayonne is not the same team as last year," says Spitzer. We feel better prepared athletically, it is a training that fully expresses its potential, a complete team. The weather conditions, with expected rain and wind, could also make the meeting "a good winter game. "
"Strongest outside this season"
But bringing back a result is not impossible, Mont-de-Marsan (draw) and Nevers (defensive bonus) having already taken at least one point to Jean-Dauger. "We are able to get a result in Bayonne, confirms the second Welsh line RC Vannes Carwyn Jones. We made a draw in Bourg (19-19), we almost won at Oyonnax (30-29) and we could also win at Mont-de-Marsan (16-13). I think we are stronger outside this season compared to last year. "
For this block, the expectations are the same for all players even if some are more cautious than others when it starts: "It would be good to win at least two games on this block," said hooker Cyril Blanchard, when others aim for at least nine points on all four games. Without indulging in such calculations, Jean-Noel Spitzer knows that "the reception of Biarritz (in three days) will be a stakes match. But he also hopes to seize every opportunity that will arise by then. "You must have the same state of mind as against Oyonnax or Mont-de-Marsan. The coin can fall on the right side. The matches outside, it depends on the hazards, the circumstances ... But with the good state of mind one can make a result. "
Taking points would be the opportunity for the RCV to improve its British ranking (currently +2) but also to keep a little margin with the bottom of the ranking. Currently 10th with 26 points, after the cruel defeat against Montauban (27-28) on the last day, Vannes is only six points ahead of the first relegation, Colomiers.
Jean-Noel Spitzer has in any case used the same recipe as for the match against Mont-de-Marsan. Give play time to those who have less, players who are "hungry" like Carwyn Jones, Jeremiah Abiven or Faraj Fartass. Far from being a team bis, so, despite the absence of Christopher Hilsenbeck (rest), Hugh Chalmers (disease) or the non-tenure of Manoa Vosawai (bench). "It's a team that can get something, like the team that will go to Aurillac next week , " promises Spitzer, supported by Cyril Blanchard: "Regardless of the team in line, we play every game at outside to win it. "
BAYONNE: Tisseron - Baget, Robinson, Muscarditz, Fuster - Tedder (o), Rouet (m) - Van Lill, Beattie, Heguy - Oulai, Ducat - Taufa, Van Jaarsveld, Boniface. Replacements: Arganese, Iguiniz, Koster, Collet, Saubusse, Du Plessis, Barthelemy, Whyte. Coaches: Joel Rey, Vincent Etcheto and Yannick Bru.
RC VANNES: Popelin - Fartass, Hickes, Burgaud, Duplenne - Bouthier (o), Le Bail (m) - Bolenaivalu, Cramond, Abiven - Tuohy, Jones - Kite, Leafa, Sénéca. Replacements: Cloostermans, Vola, Delangle, Vosawai, Menzel, Moeke, Vulivuli, Tafili. Coaches: Jean-Noël Spitzer and Gerard Fraser.