Pro D2: Nissa Rugby takes on a heavyweight with the hosting of Provence Rugby

After an important victory last Friday (32-17) against the bottom of Pro D2, Nevers, Nissa Rugby will face an opponent of a different caliber tomorrow evening: Provence Rugby. No question of approaching this match as losers, the Nice players fully intend to surf on their last bonus victory to disrupt the 2^nd place team in Pro D2.

It must be said, in the standings as well as in people’s minds, the victory against Nevers did good to Nissa Rugby. After a difficult first block of five matches for the Maralpins (one victory, four defeats, editor’s note), the positive result last Friday allowed them to start this new cycle on the right foot.

At a press conference, Nice center three-quarter Atila Septar did not hide his relief after the final whistle against Nevers: “it was really very important. It was a turning point in our season depending on the result. The victory allows us to take a breath and look ahead. It was very beneficial for the whole group.”

Now 11^th in Pro D2, Nissa Rugby faces the scarecrow of its division, Provence Rugby. A club that has regularly come close to promotion to Top 14 over the past five years. Unbeaten since the start of the season, the Provence team is heading to the Côte d’Azur with maximum confidence. A big challenge for Gareth Baber’s men.

How to disrupt Provence Rugby?

This is the whole issue of this match, how to manage to make a team play badly when it brings down all its opponents one by one. Matthew Clarkin, sports director of Nissa Rugby, prefers to first focus on his team, before thinking about the opponent: “it’s a team that does everything well, so we’ll need to be strong in all areas. It’s a great opportunity to show that we can improve our ball exits from our half, be more consistent over 80 minutes. We tend to have moments of loss of focus during matches. If we want to hope for something, it’s essential to be performing from start to finish.”

If the Nice players want a result, they will need to be consistent and technically sound. A soundness that has sometimes failed them on certain phases of play: “on kickoff receptions, we hadn’t been up to the task against Nevers and we had put ourselves in danger. It’s something we’re struggling with and that we’ve tried to correct this week,” said Atila Septar.

The whole squad involved

After losing its scrum-half Guillaume Rouet to injury against Grenoble, Nice must also do without its captain Adrian Motoc, who came off at half-time against Nevers with rib pain. Both are part of a list of injured players that keeps growing. Fortunately, “no long-term injuries,” according to Matthew Clarkin, but indispensable players of the Nice XV who will remain in the infirmary against Provence Rugby.

For English prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer, no need to worry, the whole squad feels ready, from the usual starters to the substitutes: “injuries are part of rugby. I have confidence in each of us, if you come on, you take your role to heart 200%. We all move forward together, the 40-45 players, we’re all concerned and ready to give our best.

This Friday, the task looks difficult, but not impossible for Nissa Rugby. See you at 7:30 p.m. at Marcel Volot stadium in a fiery atmosphere to try to break the Provence team’s unbeaten record.