If Tom Ecochard knows how to hide a minimum of his frustration at the microphone, his explosion of joy at the time of the test against Newport speaks volumes. He took a good bite out of these 33 minutes of playing time in this first European Challenge match: “You have to know how to savor these moments. On paper, it wasn’t the game that made you dream the most. But, a lot of young people were making their debuts, they will remember it all their careers and I’m glad I was a part of it. I tried to perpetuate the state of mind that I was taught when I started here also with Challenge matches. These young people it speaks to them to put on the jersey of the USAP and I like it.“
“I take what I’m given.”
Tom Ecochard, the player in the current squad to have worn the USAP jersey the most, is little used since the start of the season. At almost 29 years old, he has a series of very good performances or, more exactly, he performs every time he is called upon. His match at Racing (October 9) had been very conclusive but he had not been aligned the next two.
Since this match at Nanterre, he had only been able to express himself thirty minutes against La Rochelle before the thirty-three against Newport: “I take what I am given, of course I would like more. That’s how it is, you have to know how to accept it and respect the choices of the coaches. As soon as I am put on the pitch, I try to wet the jersey and enjoy all the moments I have here. Of course I wanted to show on this match. I want to participate in Top 14 matches, to play more than today but that’s how it is, it’s part of a career and I will always give my all for the club. “
We make choices, we assume them – David Marty
In this half-scrum post, Sadek Deghmache established himself, without question, as the number one. Behind him is the traffic jam but who is the real number 2 today? Argentina international Martin Landajo disappoints and struggles to win. He missed another opportunity on Saturday against Newport to revive.
The staff, four times, also used Mattéo Rodor on the substitute bench to cover the two positions of the hinge. Tom Ecochard, he has only started twice out of thirteen for six match sheets.
Through the voice of David Marty, the staff assume their choices : “Tom makes a good comeback every time, he plays good games. We make team compositions, we assume them, we have a team to manage. There is no particular concern. Things we see them, or at least we try. But yes, I’m very happy with Tom’s comeback, that’s for sure. If you want me to talk about Martin (Landajo), he’s a great player and we’re going to need him. I want him to be good and I want Tom to be good and Sadek to be good. All three have to be good if we want to keep going. It will be the key to our success. “
Tom Ecochard, the fuzzy future
Will the game against Newport have redistributed the cards? The USAP will have to align its most successful players during the next three meetings which promise to be crucial: against Castres, at the Stade Français and in Biarritz. If Sadek Deghmache will probably be the starter, who will be his replacement?
Tom Ecochard stands ready to bring what he can to USAP: the club of his career. The original Audois has been playing in the first team for nine years, he is at the end of his contract. Is this his final blood-and-gold season? In any case, while the USAP has already formalized several contract renewals, that other files are being negotiated, Tom Ecochard, him, has still not been received by the leaders and his future at the club remains very blurry.
The playing times of the scrum-half
- Sadek Degmache : 7 starts, twice replacing = 429 minutes
- Martin Landajo : 4 tenures, 3 replacement times = 285 minutes
- Tom ecochard : 2 tenures, 4 replacement times = 245 minutes
- Mattéo Rodor entered the fray at Racing, Toulouse, against Clermont and Montpellier.