Agen secured a crucial victory on the road Friday night, defeating Provence Rugby 22-24 in a tightly contested Pro D2 match. The win, achieved at the Aix-en-Provence stadium, has bolstered Agen’s aspirations for a top-6 finish and a potential playoff berth.
Despite three first-half tries from Aix, Agen dominated the contest, forcing Provence into errors and ultimately securing the win. Agen manager Mauricio Reggiardo expressed satisfaction with the performance, particularly highlighting the team’s resilience and ability to execute their game plan. “I am very proud to coach this rugby team,” Reggiardo stated, according to La Dépêche. “We prepared a lot for this match. We’ve been close to winning away games for a while, and this time it worked.”
The victory carried added significance for Reggiardo, who previously managed Provence Rugby for four seasons, leading them to two historical semi-final appearances. Prior to the match, Reggiardo reportedly received pointed comments from Provence’s Philippe Saint-André, which he found unsettling. “It bothered me a little,” Reggiardo told Rugbyrama. “Apparently, we aren’t allowed to have the ambition to come and win against a top-3 club. When you have a smaller budget, are you not allowed to be ambitious?”
Agen’s success was not solely attributable to tactical execution. The impact of substitutes, particularly Dorian Bellot, proved pivotal in shifting the momentum of the match. Bellot’s energetic performance injected a new dynamic into the Agen side, according to reports. Captain Peyo Muscarditz emphasized the team’s preparation, and determination. “We had prepared well for this match and had a plan to deprive Aix of possession,” Muscarditz said. “We’ve been close in away games for several matches, and this time it paid off.”
While acknowledging the positive result, Reggiardo stressed the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding complacency. “Let’s not get carried away,” he cautioned. “We need to prepare well for the match against Carcassonne, otherwise this victory will have been for nothing.” He also expressed hope for improvements to the team’s training facilities, specifically requesting a synthetic pitch for the upcoming season.
The win places Agen in contention for a playoff spot, but Reggiardo remains pragmatic. He indicated that consistent performance will be key to achieving their goals. “We can dream of the top 6, but first we need to play good rugby,” he said. Agen will face Carcassonne in their next Pro D2 fixture, a match they will need to win to maintain their momentum.
