Beaten last Friday at the Marcel-Volot stadium against Provence Rugby (24-34), the Nice team is traveling this weekend to the Armandie stadium to face SU Agen. Despite the frustration of a disappointing result, the Marseille-based group retains the progress displayed and approaches this away clash with ambition and lucidity.
Last Friday, at the final whistle against Provence, there was that feeling that often floats in the air around teams in construction. The pride in the performance mixed with the bitter taste of the result. « It’s still a home defeat and we’re all competitors », says hooker Clément Martinez right away. The observation is shared by forwards coach Emiliano Bergamaschi, who prefers to look at the glass half full: « we put in a good performance. Even if we didn’t get the points we wanted, the set pieces, the battles and the defense are starting to pay off. That gives us a lot of confidence. »
Because to compete against the elite of Pro D2, Nissa Rugby knows exactly what it can rely on. Set pieces first and foremost, the essential foundation for the Argentine coach. « The basics never change. The first thing is to have very good set pieces. After that, it’s the challenge in intensity and contact areas », the forwards coach hammered home. An opinion shared by Clément Martinez, well aware of the small details that prevented the turnaround in the recent matches. « There are plenty of small key moments where we lose the thread. Sometimes on individual errors, a series of small mistakes that hurt the collective. The objective is to eliminate them as much as possible and stay in our system. »
Tactical control, freshness and wind of youth
Beyond video work and precise analysis of Agen’s strengths, the key to this meeting will lie in Nice’s ability to impose their own rhythm while managing the mental aspect. After having benefited from two days of welcome rest to recharge the batteries, the group resumed preparation with a high level of demanding standards, driven by the return of numerous injured players.
A wind of freshness on which fly-half Flavio Asquini is counting. « We don’t have any particular pressure, we stay focused on our game. A rugby match is still 15 guys against 15 guys on the field. The team that wants it most will win. You have to use every outing to build a group capable of competing everywhere and gaining confidence. » All the more so as the emergence of young players from the academy like Andy Bosseray’s good entry against Provence brings real internal momentum, as Emiliano Bergamaschi points out: « seeing young people come up from lower categories and perform well is something that motivates the whole group. It’s a real strength for the club. »
Go for the win
In the standings of this Pro D2, the stakes are critical. Nissa Rugby, 13th with 11 points, intends to distance itself from the red zone and create some breathing room and move closer to this evening’s opponent.
Facing them stands SU Agen fresh off two consecutive victories and ready to set a packed Armandie stadium on fire. A fierce opposition, renowned for their set pieces and their ability to keep the ball moving in chaos. « It’s going to be tough, the stadium is going to be hostile and they’re in form. But we just came out of a big match too », warns the Nice hooker, firmly determined not to position himself as a scapegoat. « Agen has conceded two defeats at home this season. We don’t choose our matches, we want to take maximum points everywhere. »
To go claim their first win of the season away from home, Gareth Baber’s men will need to arm themselves with tremendous courage and unwavering solidarity. In the hell of Armandie, the key will lie in their ability to show up for the fight, to hold their own in the physical battle and to tip the small details in their favor to finally unlock their away tally.
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