While we are observing a breakthrough in the discipline on the island, Montpellier Hérault Rugby has set down in Bastia to perfect its preparation and face the Stade Français. Rugby players train at Igesa all week
On the lawn of theIgesa, round balloons have given way to oval balloons. Exit the game with the foot, place to tackles and overflows. The rugby players of Montpellier Herault Rugby have taken up residence at Igesa since Tuesday, on the occasion of their island pre-season internship, with the highlight this Saturday, their preparation match against the Stade Français, one of the big stables of the Top 14.
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The sea breeze that crosses the training ground relieves these mastodon athletes somewhat. The templates are strong, there is heavy on the lawn and the players are not there as tourists, even if the atmosphere remains relaxed. Tom Withford, former professional rugby player and now MHR Team Manager, takes the time to savor these moments. From experience, he knows that this type of trip is very important in preparing for a season.
“Last year we finished our season well, with the addition of obtaining a title thanks to our victory in the European Challenge (the equivalent of the Europa League in football Editor’s note). It is very important to be able to find ourselves in a vacuum. We have a dozen recruits in our workforce, this will allow us to integrate them well. We have to maintain our momentum that we started at the end of the season and avoid repeating the same mistakes ”.
In the re-athletic phase, the third wing Fulgence Ouedraogo, at the club since 2004 and international of the XV of France, finds this preseason course very exotic. The opportunity for the whole team to take advantage and get into the best possible conditions, an essential condition for a successful season.
“The discipline is breaking through in Corsica”
“First time for me in Bastia, he emphasizes. I didn’t have the chance to play against Toulon two years ago. It’s a different course from the others, in general, we go to the mountains, look for the altitude. For us it is exotic, but extremely pleasant. This allows us to strengthen the bonds in the group. To start our championship well, it is extremely important, because we have to gain momentum, find more benchmarks and avoid a bad start like last year. We need to be more ambitious ”.
Guilhem Guirado, former captain of the XV of France, knows the importance of these last days of preparation. Since the start of his long career, he has had its ups and downs. But he hopes that the European title won at the end of the season will help the club to grow. In the meantime, he is delighted with the growing media coverage of his sport on the Isle of Beauty and intends to make a contribution to the building.
“We have busy days, but we manage to enjoy the scenery, especially since the majority of our workforce did not know Corsica. Being able to recover by swimming in the Mediterranean is priceless. It’s great news that rugby is reaching out to different audiences. The discipline is breaking through in Corsica, it is our role as a professional rugby player to promote the practice of our sport. I am convinced that the values of rugby are compatible with the values of Corsica ”.
This match against Ile-de-France in Armand-Cesari will only be friendly in name. In the final stretch of their respective preparation, Montpellier and the Stade Français are not going to give each other any gifts. There will be a show on Saturday night in Furiani, and good people, since the very recent Olympic gold medalist in karate, Steven Da Costa, visiting Corsica, will kick off the match.
Montpellier – Stade Français (6 pm at Armand-Cesari). Places from € 15 to € 25.
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