Nine matches, nine victories, a reinforced concrete pack, internationals in all lines. The Leicester Tigers are back in the forefront and fly over their championship thanks to rough and terribly efficient rugby. “It’s a team that relies on forwards, explains Christophe Urios, which has frontal play. It’s bestial. It is the European team that plays the most kicking. Evil tongues will say that it is a bit like Castres’ game of a few years ago. But in addition to being bad tongues, these are people who know nothing about it.“
We brought down the European champion, it shouldn’t scare us to receive Leicester even if it’s going to be a big fight – Nans Ducuing
After almost going down, Leicester returned, under the leadership of Steve Borthwick, to the fundamentals that allowed him to win ten league titles and two European Cups. Not enough to worry the manager. “We’re going to beat these guys. What level do you place them at? Above Toulouse or not?”
A mini-crunch to grow even more
Because the victory (17-10) of last Saturday against Toulouse has even more uninhibited the Girondine team. Sure of its strength, with confidence, the UBB attacks this meeting with gusto. “We did it, we were very happy but we quickly changed, assures the rear Nans Ducuing, we did not fall into euphoria. We brought down the European champion, it shouldn’t scare us to receive Leicester even if it’s going to be a big fight.“
– Justine Hamon
To win this explosive mini-crunch and grow even further, the Union has therefore endeavored to face the specificities of the opposing game. She notably worked on the balls carried, sector where the Tigers excel, as well as the game of foot because the occupation, especially if the rain invites itself, will undoubtedly be one of the keys of the match.
Because despite the dynamics of its opponent, the UBB, semi-finalist last season, wants to see beyond the group stage where it will also face the Scarlets. “We know that we have more responsibilities on our shoulders, admits Captain Jefferson Poirot, maybe a little less right to make mistakes, but we’re trying to build a big project in Bordeaux so we’re not going to complain about that. Internally, we have set our clear objectives. We approach it with a lot of confidence, also with the desire to show that last year was not an anomaly.“