Ugo Mola (Toulouse) finds the state of form of his players “amazing”
Even today, despite all the trophies gleaned by his team over the past three years, Ugo Mola manages to be surprised by his players on the eve of a home play-off against La Rochelle in the Top 14. he was named this Friday noon at a press conference in the bowels of the Ernest-Wallon stadium.
“It’s when you tell yourself that the season is long, that the internationals have played a lot, that the team has won a lot… that the guys have beaten all their personal physical records for speed, high intensity, etc., observes the manager of Stade Toulousain. Since the week of the match in Brive (8-26 win), it’s amazing. You think they’re going to be dull and they’re actually cooler than ever. Afterwards, they must be able to transcribe this physical form on the ground by putting it at the service of the collective. But if they play to the level of the quality of their rugby and what they are capable of doing, they will always be hard to beat. Which doesn’t mean they’re going to win. »
“If in June you are not able to master two or three things about your rugby, it means you have nothing to do there. »
After their card against Biarritz (80-7) last Sunday, the Red and Blacks had only six days, like their opponents, to prepare for this decisive match against the recent European champion. A very short period where they mainly sought to optimize their recovery of energy.
“Very honestly, we haven’t done much, said Mola. In any case, not enough to reassure the coach that I am and the staff that we are. We did a Monday dedicated to recovery, a Tuesday to the organization, a Wednesday with a little intensity. This is where I was surprised by the freshness of the guys and their ability to repeat efforts at a good level, even a very good level. That is rather reassuring. Thursday was rest and today (this Friday) we did a setup with a little football, four pitches and not much more. »
“Afterwards, I want to say that if in June you are not able to master two or three things about your rugby, it means that you have nothing to do there, he continues. Facing La Rochelle, we will therefore rely on what we know how to do, on our qualities, our individualities and our ability to challenge a team which is in very good shape and which has just won one of the major competitions in our sport. (the European Cup). »