Colomiers: in Oyonnax, all it takes is a spark

They may have had two last mixed outings against Bourg then against Agen, we have the feeling that the Columérins have the best in store for us for the final stages. Seeing them prepare this week, observing behavior, listening to the discussions, we feel that something is going on within the columérin collective which will present itself, this evening, on the synthetic lawn of the Charles-Mathon stadium. , in the shoes of an ambitious outsider.

Because finding Colomiers in the final stages is obviously not a surprise, the Haut-Garonne team having been ranked between 2nd and 6th place all season. “Staying there was a challenge”, recognizes Julien Sarraute, the head coach, who intends to continue the season a little further. “We are starting another championship with the desire to seize all opportunities. Every rugby player dreams of playing final phase matches, it is up to us to give ourselves the means to experience great emotions, ”warns the Columérin technician who must therefore solve the Oyonnax equation.

Precisely, this formation of Haut-Bugey, the teammates of Anthony Coletta know how to apprehend it rather well. Twice this season, they have dominated the “Oyomen”. “It’s the only team to have done so and that demonstrates, if need be, its value,” underlines Thierry Emin, the president of the USO.

“It shows that we are capable of doing good things”, specifies Julien Sarraute “but the counters will be reset to zero this evening. We find ourselves in a final phase match, with its dose of the unexpected, of the challenge, of fervor, a cutthroat match. “And the head coach of Colomiers enthuses: “But the final stages are great to experience and I want this event to be a great memory for us because we are committed to making history. Qualifying is a step. But we want to write another chapter of our history! »

“Don’t get caught up in the game”

For this, Anthony Coletta’s teammates will have to show control and concentration throughout the meeting. Because it is indeed a certain inconstancy, a loss of concentration in key moments, which prevented the Columérins from ranking higher in the hierarchy after a thunderous start to the championship (5 victories during the first 5 days ) which foreshadowed the best. Nor should we overlook the avalanche of wounded (we counted up to 19 at the start of winter!) which slowed down the columérine advance but also, let’s not forget, the loss for the whole season after three days of Romain Bézian, a real driving force behind the Columérin collective. “You know, the Pro D2 is a very long and difficult marathon,” reminds Julien Sarraute who expects his team to “stay true to its principles. We shouldn’t be caught up in what’s at stake, but play our rugby, stay true to our state of mind, to our game plan.” Facing a powerful opponent, strong in conquest, who perfectly masters the game at the foot of occupation, the Columérins will have to assert their collective game, their speed, their enthusiasm to overthrow it.

“I want us to be actors in the event, for my players to realize that they are capable of doing great things,” concludes the Columérin coach. We are convinced of it. And particularly near Oyonnax…