“Chills at the announcement of the composition”
Martin Page-Relo, after a few minutes in the Top 14 against Perpignan several weeks ago, had his first start with Stade Toulousain on Saturday against Wasps in the Champions Cup. A look back at an important event in his young career.
What was your reaction when you found out you would start?
_”_At the announcement of the composition, I had shivers. It’s been a dream since childhood, I was super excited. It’s different to be a starter. You have no idea how it’s going to be. The pressure was all the greater but I was not in a panic because this moment I imagined it and prepared so much beforehand.
On the other hand in the match after?
“Of course. I spent my next day watching the game two or three times. A dozen times my actions to see that I had done good and bad. For a first, I had instructions that I tried to respect. In particular to put on speed and stick to the ball. It’s pretty positive.”
You already know the group very well…
“I joined the group three, four years ago. All the guys I play with I’ve known them for a few years. I get along very well with them, it happens a bit on its own.”
“I hate to lose”
How did you come to rugby?
“I started rugby at Isle-Jourdain when I was five years old. I arrived at the Stade at 11 years old. My last year as Espoirs I went to Carcassonne for a year before returning. At the Stade, you go You are very lucky because the infrastructures are impressive. You have several physiotherapists… In Carcassonne, it is one of the least rich clubs in Pro D2. When you come back, you tell yourself that you really have luck.”
What does Martin Page-Relo do outside rugby?
“I see my friends, I play on the Playstation. I often go home to see my parents and my friends from the Gers. I’m a bit hyperactive, I don’t really like to stay on the sofa. .”
Still want to win?
“Since I was little I have hated losing. I went golfing with my brother against the two Arnold brothers not long ago. We did everything not to lose.”