TOULOUSE

Sevens weekend in Toulouse

For the first time in its history, the pink city is hosting a stage of the World Rugby Sevens Series, from May 20 to 22.

It is not a XV team that evaluated at Stade Ernest-Wallon this weekend. But the French rugby sevens teams. The World Rugby Sevens Series takes place in Toulouse, from May 20 to 22, three years after the last stage of the championship organized in France.

Currently second in the world rankings (60 points), Les Bleues are keen to perform on French territory. Behind the Australians (80 points) and ahead of the Americans (56 points), they have still not played a single final on the world circuit. Defending their second position is their main mission. “The stated objectives for this tournament are to keep track of who we are on the pitch in terms of play, attitudes and behavior” says David Courteix, the coach. “We have to bring to life the virtues of the collective and the desire to undertake to be part of the continuity of our last weeks. ”

First victory for the Blues?

In pool C, the French women’s team will face Ireland, Brazil and England. The opportunity is too good to let slip: the Blues can win their first tournament in the history of women’s rugby. All this on their territory, in a city where rugby is omnipresent. The Toulouse tournament is also the final stage of the season.

The Blues in search of a “great collective performance”

For its part, the French men’s team will meet the Fijian Olympic champions, Wales and Kenya in Pool B. “We just want to delight the supporters who will come to see us at the stadium”confides Aaron Grandidier in a press release from the FFR. “We will put in a good performance to materialize our intensive preparation, specifies the coach, Jérôme Daret. To do this, we must capitalize on all the work done, both to please ourselves, and also to please the supporters who will come to support us. ”

The Blues, seventh in the world rankings, face tough competition. South Africa is an undisputed leader with its four successes in five stages. Despite this, the Habs want to believe it. “The players are determined to want to succeed in this tournament at home and look forward to a thunderous season” explains the coach. “We are going to show off and play our luck. ” The objective is simple and clear: “Stick to fourth place in the standings thanks to a great collective performance”he adds.

A preparation between adversaries

The women’s and men’s teams trained at Marcoussis, but not against anyone. For women, five nations (Australia, Ireland, Brazil, New Zealand, Fiji) were able to take advantage of the National Rugby Centre. Thus, oppositions were carried out in addition to the training sessions initially planned. “We are lucky to meet a lot of teams” underlines Germain Igarza, assistant coach of the French women’s team at 7. “We are a little bit on the road all the time. It’s very enriching to be able to confront one’s ideas, but also to confront each other, especially in the field. There are very different styles of play, it’s always very good to be able to match, to oppose like that. ” The men were able to gauge themselves against the Japanese. This stage in France also allows the two French teams to prepare for the European Cup (June-July) as well as the World Cup which will be held in South Africa next September.

Severine Bouquet

Related Posts