Big confrontation, two styles of play.
The Mons remain on an offensive bonus against Nevers, the Bayonnais struggled a little in Narbonne, the penultimate. From the point of view of the Gascons, whatever happens, we will remain primarily focused on the objective of the next block of five games which will see the stadians receive three times, with the ambition to take the offensive bonus three times. The exit on the edge of the Nive will still say about the ability of Mons to impose their daring game against a strong team, rough, not very imaginative certainly, less brilliant in the paces, but terribly constituted. In particular with a front line that can shake. And a somewhat… monstrous third row of the pack. And with variable geometry. Taofifenua, Heguy, Afaesetiti, neo-zed, formerly of La Rochelle and Bègles, Luamanu, another kiwi, formerly of the English Harlequins, or even Uzair Cassiem, the springbok arrived last summer from the Welsh at Llanelli Scarlets. And then, maximum danger, scorer and raiser, the back Gaëtan Germain. The former of Brive, Racing and Grenoble was twice best director of Top14. The Basques of Lapurdi have certainly largely imposed themselves in Narbonne, before denarius, but it took a breath of Yannick Bru, major coach and energy revitalizer, at half-time, for the azure and white to regain virtue. Bayonne has a large workforce, the ambition announced and assumed to go up directly. But Bayonne is crumbly.
– Pab
It’s up to Mons, therefore, to smash the Bayonnais “marmitako”.
And to impose their tasty cuisine. Because the pressure will not be on the yellow and black but on their hosts. Stade Montois has not set itself any real objective other than, ad minima, as we can imagine, to remain in Pro D 2 and to achieve the best possible season. The group is homogeneous, confident without immodesty, sure of its quality without boasting. Obviously it is quite certain that Prosper, Milhet, Tastet and Talès have an idea in mind. Obviously a victory in Dauger would weigh and send a strong message to the national oval. But in fact we take the days as they come on the Boniface side where we especially cultivate invincibility at home. For travel, we will try, like this Friday in Bayonne. Without totally sacrificing the state of mind and the desire to play in context. The Mons seized in Montauban as against Nevers that it was necessary to avoid falling into the trap of teams who maliciously try to prevent them from building their movements together, to deprive them of play. The Landes are not partridges of the year, their technicians know the ovalistic vicissitudes and the flaws of naivety. The Stadium is ripe. Calm. And finally this exit to Bayonne is just one more match on the still long list of clashes. And as Stéphane Prosper, an expert in strategy repeats, it will sometimes be essential to abandon the beauty of the gesture for the sake of efficiency, downsize to navigate the storm, do the round back and win by three points. The desire for spring is strong, qualification, no one is hiding it, is in the appetites. But Milhet and his people know that you have to go through the winter first. Eight degrees and light rain announced on Dauger this Friday. The Mons people will have to be strong, united, disciplined and realistic.