The declarations ahead of Montpellier vs. Toulon
Here are the main declarations of the RCT staff and players ahead of the away game against Montpellier, Friday, December 23rd, for Day 14 of the Top 14.
Mike Ford, RCT manager: « We’ve done a good preparation but now, it’s going to be a mind game as well. That’s what I told the players. We have to prepare for this confrontation like warriors and we’ll have to do the same thing every time – otherwise, it’s going to be very complicated. We’ll have to create opportunities from the start, not bounce back when we trail behind – as we did against Scarlets last week-end, unfortunately. We’re going to play against the team ranked second in the league : it’s a very tight championship and we’re not thinking about the Champions Cup yet. Montpellier are a solid team and, if we want to make it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup and win the last two first-round games – against Sale and Saracens –, we’ll have to be on top of our game on Friday, then against Racing ’92 and Clermont. Concerning our Chairman’s decision, it’s a good thing he stays. Our relationship is very good. When he’s happy about things, he says it; when he’s not, he speaks out as well and we always try to find the solutions together. This is fine. »
Jimmy Yobo, RCT centre: « This club is legendary and our special status shall be stressed even more with the socio system our Chairman wishes to set up. This can only mean good things. Concerning the games, we were not up to scratch in some of them – against Lyons, Castres or Scarlets. This did not reflect our level. We have to do our job as top-notch rugbymen, because we’re prepared for it, but we have to deliver on the pitch now. We’ll be expected in Montpellier after the game played at the Stade Vélodrome, earlier in the season. We’ll have to be prepared collectively and individually. »
Eric Escande, RCT scrum-half: « We know it’s going to be a very complicated and intense game in Montpellier. Their frontline is a very tough and physical one. We’re expecting a high-level game and hard-fought combat. We’re going to try to take advantage of our physical condition. Yes, several changes have been made to the line-up but we have particularly studied the game of the Montpellier game and set up a few things. But it’s always complicated when we do not play with commitment or intensity. So, it will be up to us to do things the right way. »
Sources : pre-game press conference, December 21st, 2016.