So comes the difficult question of choice! Should we play both competitions thoroughly? Can the UBB play Europe and the Top14 all the way?
La Rochelle ran two hares at once and missed both
We can find an answer by looking at the course of our opponent of the moment: La Rochelle which last year reached the final and the champion’s cup and the championship to finally not win any trophies. So much effort for nothing, it’s not worth it according to Frédéric Holgado President of the Libournais rugby club
Afterwards, the difficulty is to physically arrive at the end of the two competitions. I think that today the main objective is still the Top 14. Last year we saw Les Rochelais reach the final of the two trophies and they tripped over the carpet in both games . Because I think in terms of management, it’s very particular. A fortiori for clubs which are not very experienced in the final phase with very difficult matches to apprehend. Last year La Rochelle, they had a terrible championship, a superb European Cup and they died in the two finals during which they didn’t really exist. I don’t know if it’s worth going to burn cartridges or damage players, when your goal is the Top14 – Frédéric Holgado
Play this match as a preparation match?
Balance very difficult to find for the staff of the Union. The players are competitors and will never half return to the field but be careful because behind it will be necessary to go to Montpellier and receive for Toulon to confirm a place in the Top2 at worst in the Top6. A really complicated situation for Christophe Urios according to the former player of Pau and Brive, Vincent Forgues
Are we bringing the players back this weekend to give them a little bit of playing time, to get them back into the rhythm because behind, there are two big games that are going to happen where are we still preserving them? a week to avoid hurting them and keep them? The challenge will be there: how does Christophe Urios prepare for the next two league games that are going to happen? Is he completely deadlocked to keep his strength alive or does he put some back on deck knowing that some haven’t played for a few weeks and that’s still not bad also to give them a little playing time in La Rochelle? So it’s not an easy situation for Christophe Urios – Vincent Forgues
The composition of the team will be known at midday, it will give some answers on how the Bordeaux-Béglais manager approaches a crucial part of the season: the last 4 Top 14 games with trips to Montpellier and Perpignan as well only two home games Toulon and Lyon. This round of 16 second leg of the Champion’s Cup can be followed live on France Bleu Gironde tomorrow from 3:30 p.m.