UBB challenges Stade Toulousain in the semi-final of the Top 14 this Saturday (8:45 p.m.) at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille.
Outsiders of this confrontation between neighbors, the Bordelais will once again rely on their leaders to try to qualify for the first final in their history.
They can in particular count on a Jefferson Poirot and a Rémi Lamerat at the top of their form for a few weeks.
When Christophe Urios talks about them, the manager of Union Bordeaux-Bègles is never very long. He prefers simply to say of these players: "They know the music by heart". And that is perhaps the best compliment to come from him. Like, there is not much to tell them or teach them even if as a reminder, the motto of the boss of the UBB will always remain that of the All Blacks: "Being better never stops"!
But beware, this does not mean that Christophe Urios will be less demanding with them.
In recent weeks between the Champions Cup and the Top 14, he has not hesitated to put pressure on them.
In these choppy matches, "leaders have to get on the front line and be at their level" to hope for anything.
And the “dads” of the group responded perfectly to the image of Jefferson Poirot or Rémi Lamerat.
Marco Tauleigne, the third line of the Union Bordeaux-Bègles, presents these essential frameworks to get the Shield of Brennus.
Jefferson Poirot (pillar)
“He's our captain.
For us, he is in any case a natural leader through his experience and his career.
Jeff is a very respected person in the locker room.
I find him particularly good in his speech.
His words are always good and fair.
Above all, he always thinks collectively.
It is very important to have such a captain.
And in addition, he is very often at his best.
"
Top 14: "They are not unbeatable", UBB wants to believe it against Stade Toulousain https://t.co/Ejulp4GBmM via @ 20minutesBord pic.twitter.com/U0Q0UPmi0t
- 20minutesbordeaux (@ 20minutesbord) June 13, 2021
Rémi Lamerat (center)
“He's vice-captain.
Like Jeff, Rémi is a natural leader but his style is a little different.
It exudes a lot of serenity.
He's a bit the wise man of the team even if he can yell like others (smiles).
He is someone very open off the pitch with whom you can talk about everything, it's nice.
Rémi's strength is that he is able to quickly identify the team's problems in the field and get us to correct things quickly.
And he is a player who very rarely makes a bad game.
"
Scott Higginbotham (third row)
“At this third line post, there are several executives.
Guido Petti, for example, is our line leader.
Scott is one of those players who never or very rarely speaks, but when he decides to say something, everyone is silent and listens to it!
He always says very right things.
On the pitch, he is very strong in his positioning and excellent in his body language.
Outside, he's a great guy with whom we can laugh very easily.
Well, you have to speak a little English… (laughs) ”
Kane Douglas (second row)
“Jandre [Marais] is normally the leader of the second row [he is still suspended] but Kane is also a real prisoner.
He is a former and his career speaks for him [31 caps with the Wallabies].
He does not speak a lot.
His thing is rather acts on the ground.
A real soldier who does what he is asked to do and he does it very well, especially dark tasks.
Besides, Kane has the easy 'bullshit' (smiles).
"
Matthieu Jalibert (opening half)
“He's our rugby leader.
He is therefore an essential player for us because he is the strategist of the team.
Over the years, it also thickens in the group.
After Matthieu, he is above all a great talent.
"
The other executives
“I would also like to quote Ben Tameifuna (pillar), this is his first year at the club and he has integrated perfectly well.
He's the locker room DJ and he occupies an important role.
And then in a group the atmosphere is always something essential and at this level, I have to mention the pair Jean-Baptiste Dubié and Nans Ducuing.
Everyone knows them!
"
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Top 14: "They are not unbeatable", UBB wants to believe it against Stade Toulousain
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