In two games, Brive seems to have lost a lot. At least a defensive bonus point against Toulouse, see even his first away victory for the most optimistic. A big blow to the head after the defeat with zero points scoredand an apathetic attack on Lyon last weekend. It is a group affected and shaken up that will prepare for its last two games of 2021.
“We must bounce back” after the Lyon defeat
If, in Toulouse, frustration had spoken, because the match was winnable, against Lyon, there was no debate. Moreover, after the meeting, no one was really smiling and especially not Tedo Abzhandadze, who is responsible for the goal on the first two penalties missed in the first ten minutes. “It’s my fault” the Georgian opener lucidly explained, “I missed two penalties and then we conceded three tries in the first half. It was too difficult to come back to the game afterwards.” he analyzes. It is true that the power of the Lyonnais reduced the Brivists to pieces, who also achieved an almost unprecedented rate of missed tackles (20% in total). However, “in the static, scrum or touchdown phases, we were fine” Pietro Ceccarelli analysis. The Franco-Italian pillar was satisfied in this sector of play, “especially since the Lyon touch was stronger than the Toulouse”.
But it was not enough. So the pillar started the revolt in the group. “We have to bounce back” he said, “You have to question yourself. We don’t have to look outside, it’s up to us. This group, players, coaches, we have to question ourselves and work. It’s up to us “ completed the Italian international pillar.
No worries for Jérémy Davidson the coach
The Internationals will offer themselves a week of break after having chained the meetings. The others will go back to work to prepare for the first Challenge match against the London Irish, then the derby against Clermont on December 26 for the return of the Top 14. “A match that will be pivotal” predicts Pietro Ceccarelli.
His coach Jeremy Davidson also has this game in his sights. “We knew that there were away games in this block. But, in January and February, we have five receptions with the Clermont game in December. So there, that will put us back on the basics of work to be able to reverse the trend afterwards “ hopes the former Irish hooker. Jeremy Davidson seems calm, but don’t forget that with a Challenge Cup trip to the London Irish, and a game on December 26, the timing is complicated anyway.
“It’s a calendar that leaves little time with Christmas and the New Year. So we will organize ourselves, like the other clubs, to have the best availability of players in training.”
Return of the wounded during the month of December?
The Briviste coach hopes for the return of several players in training, injured during the first month of competition. Cody Thomas, Thomas Larenjeira or Sooty Fa’aso and Wesley Douglas hope to return before the end of the month in training. Stuart Olding, Hayden Thompson-Stringer or Penny Narisia are expected at the start of the year.
On the other hand, the bad news of the Lyon weekend is the injury to the odds of Pierre Tournebize, the severity of which we do not know, as well as the concussion protocols of Guillaume Galletier and Joris Jurand. The Briviste coach will nevertheless be able to count, as agreed with the Hopes staff, players available to play Challenge matches. The Espoirs, who won their match against LOU Rugby this Sunday.