His departure was announced a few weeks ago. Victor Lebas will no longer be Black and White next season. The Corrézien will join Oyonnax, a formation which is still fighting to get into the Top 14. For the player, this match at the Stadium will be the last, a “goodbye” which nevertheless occurs in a context with high stakes. Interview with the player a few hours before the announcement of the composition of the team which will face Toulouse on Saturday evening (9:05 p.m.).
This last match at the Stadium, were you expecting it or fearing it?
We are waiting for it impatiently. We don’t necessarily fear it because if we play with fear in our stomachs, well, it’s not easy. But, it is sure that it is a particular match for me. If I have the chance to play this match, it will really be my last match at the Stadium. So for sure there will be a lot of pressure and a lot of emotions too. Personally, it’s a bit of a farewell match at the Stadium.
Do you remember your first match at the Stadium?
The first match at the Stadium was a friendly match, but the first pro match at the Stadium must have been a European Challenge match against Newcastle if I remember correctly. The Stadium is a stadium that I have known since I was little. I went to see the professional team play long before I started rugby, so it’s always special moments, with lots of emotions. But here, above all, you have to think about the match and play the best game possible to try to win our maintenance in the best possible way by beating Toulouse. Then, we can enjoy these good times with the public and the Stadium.
“The Stadium, I have known it since childhood”
In addition, it will be a sold-out match at 9:05 p.m. A very good time to play rugby?
Yes quite. It’s true that we haven’t had the opportunity to have sold-out matches so far at the Stadium this season. So it’s true that it will be a very important match for us, and which will happen, I hope, in the best possible way.
You have been in the stadium in Soustons, in the Landes. Did it allow you to refocus in a sort of bubble?
Yes, after the Perpignan game, we had a few days off to try to recover physically and mentally. We refocused on ourselves by going on an internship, to find ourselves a little, outside of Brive, to strengthen the ties of the group. I hope it will bear fruit and that it will pay off this weekend. We will continue to prepare for this match in the best possible way, hoping for victory at the end.
Victory will necessarily go through a big commitment against a team that is, it’s a cliché, an injured beast. Toulouse suffered a heavy defeat in Europe, but it’s Stade Toulousain, it’s still fascinating to play this kind of match…
These are always very difficult matches to maneuver. Stade Toulousain is one of the best teams in France and Europe. do not make mistakes in these matches and make the perfect match. The slightest mistake can cost us dearly. It’s up to us to put our game in place, try to put them in difficulty and above all have an iron defense to counter the talented players they have.
Do you already have in mind the emotions that this meeting will give you?
I already had the opportunity to have some emotions on my last derby, one that I was able to play at the Stadium against Clermont. I knew it was the last at that time. It is true that it was a little bit special. I feel like it’s gonna be kinda the same emotion around this match against Toulouse, with all the family and all my friends who will be present, I think, in the stands. But above all, you have to focus on the match and focus on what you have to do: first do the job and then the celebration will come.