“I’m having fun at Stade Toulousain”
Alexandre Roumat arrived at Stade Toulousain this summer from Bordeaux. For France Bleu Occitanie, he looks back on his first weeks at the club.
How did your integration go?
“Very good integration, good acclimatization. I’m having fun, it’s a great pleasure. I’m having fun here. It’s a lot of fun and excitement. I see something new, a new way of working that is different. New supporters, a new city…”
Did you already know some of them?
“It is one of the groups in the championship that I know the most. I had the chance to play with most of the guys in the young French teams. Peato, Selevasio, Antoine, Romain, Pierre-Louis, Arthur… and so on. I didn’t know half of the squad when I arrived.”
You talk about a new method. Surprised ?
“Surprised no. I expected it. The team is focused on movement, on the speed of the ball. It’s something that is intensified here, even if it was present at my former club. Here we are high movement game. It’s something that can suit me. I try to adapt as quickly as possible.”
Do we think of the XV of France when we sign at Stade Toulousain?
“I do not pretend to say that I am thinking of the XV of France. Lately the guys who have been playing have been really good. My first objective was to arrive physically and to show that I deserve to play with the guys. Trying to impose what I can do on the pitch. It’s something I put in the back of my mind but it’s not a short term goal. The most important thing is Stade Toulousain, the rest will follow.”
Are you ready to start this season?
“In Toulon, on the state of mind and the desire to play, the objective was fulfilled. There are also negative points such as discipline. When you go to a big club like Bordeaux, it becomes complicated to win. if you make so many mistakes. It’s hard to draw conclusions after a friendly match.”
You start at your old club, UBB…
“I’m very happy to be back in front of the fans who are amazing, if I get the chance to play. It will be an exciting match, I really hope to play it.”
Did you give marbles to your new teammates?
“I tried to provide as much info as possible on how they try to attack and defend. I don’t know if it will make a difference, but I hope it will work for us.”
What do you keep from your five seasons in Bordeaux?
“A very, very good memory. I spent five rather exceptional years. I knew all the states in Bordeaux, arriving young from Pro D2. Then then to play the first European Cup matches. Qualifying for the final stages of the Top 14… It’s a new challenge now, I’m very happy to start it in Bordeaux.”