Who can you count on for the half against Nevers? This is the question that Mons supporters but also Nevers opponents ask themselves. The Pro D2 semi-final is this Sunday, May 29 at 3 p.m. at the Boniface stadium. The professional group is almost complete.
The staff can count on 39 fresh and available players for this decisive meeting but there will only be 23 names to tick on the score sheet. A rich man’s problem with which the staff is satisfied. “It is certain that we are lucky to have almost the entire workforce, so it is a wealth”recognizes the coach of the forwards, Julien Tastet. “Already, it’s an enrichment for the quality of our training because it allows us to do full and therefore quality training and then it gives us a choice. Given the year we’ve had, it “I’m sure we asked ourselves a lot of questions. But now, we’re going to make sure we make the best group to achieve our goal.”
Confidence in executives, who in number 10?
The staff therefore decided to maintain the suspense until the end to concern everyone. There will therefore be choices to be made, explains Julien Tastet: “There is evidence, there are still choices that are difficult. We delayed the announcement until Friday to allow time and really mature our thinking.”
Obviously, we will find the usual holders, those who allowed Stade Montois to achieve an exceptional season. Cabannes, De Nardi, Laousse-Azpiazu, Muzzio, Cedaro, Brethous, Laval, Lattrerrade are sure to take part in this great rugby festival. But the question on everyone’s lips concerns the hinge: who to accompany the young scrum half Léo Coly?
An uncertain time, regular opener Willie du Plessis has recovered well from his ankle injury contracted in March. “He is still in rehabilitation”, confirms manager Patrick Milhet. “He’s starting to play on foot, it’s good to see him back on the pitch with us. He’s important in the system and what’s more, he still had the captaincy at the start of the season. So he has the experience, the maturity for this kind of match.”
The South African opener could therefore finally enter the group of 23 and take a place on the bench. The long game at the foot of the 10 could prove decisive in the last moments in the event of a close match. Another question, what about the late winger Wame Naituvi? At the Mons club, we hide it. Info or intox ? The Fijian touched in a knee could appear in fine in the list of 23 that we will know Friday, May 27 in the evening.
Special greenery: the Hôtel des Pins in Sabers
This Saturday morning, the players will take the pulse of the supporters on the market square in Mont-de-Marsan: on the signing program. The players will then go to 3 p.m., match time the next day, to train one last time on Boniface’s lawn.
To best prepare for this half, the club has chosen to go green at the Hôtel des Pins in Sabers. Quite a symbol because this is where the Stade Montois went green a dozen years ago. The team was there before its legendary final against Racing Métro 92 and its stars (Pichot, Auradou, Lo Cicero…). On June 21, 2008, Stade Montois Rugby won the final for accession to the Top 14, 32-23, after a legendary match.
The tranquility of Sabers enough to allow the group to tighten up before this half. It is also a return to basics for some who were from the time: Tastet, Milhet, Cabannes or even Brehtous.