Promoted to Federal 2 – Monaco, the rock to the peaks?
Continuation of our overview of the promoted in Fédérale 2, with AS Monaco Rugby, which plays in pool 2… (By Marco Matabiau)
Despite a hen 7 which promised to be the toughest (with teams such as Aubagne, Draguignan, Aix or Isle sur la Sorgue), the starting point was simple in September 2021. Sébastien Roger, now general secretary of the club, in says more: “Our first objective was to go up to Federal 2. We had carried out a substantial recruitment, with players coming from higher levels, whether from Federal 1 or National”. Obviously, in these cases, the mayonnaise can sometimes take a little time to set, which was the case for the Monegasques: “At the start of the season, we did not have the results published, but everything improved over time, and it was better at the end”. And not just a little. Qualification for the final stages in their pocket, the Azureans are opposed to Trignac in 32nd, in the Pays de la Loire, next to Saint-Nazaire. A journey of 1,221 km to go and as much for the return!), punctuated by a victory, then half the distance (530 all the same) against the XV of Dombes in sixteenths. The climb validated, the playoff course will stop against Palavas-Lunel. A meeting that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of Sébastien Roger: “It was a tough, tense match. We took red cards, two during the match, two once the final whistle had been given…” .
To meet the requirements of the Federal 2, the club has further structured its staff. Raphaël Roggi and Stéphane Cothenot gave up their places. Coming from Provence Rugby (where he was the sports manager of the training center), Walter Argoud, in charge of the work of the back lines and the general movement, also takes on the role of sports director. He is supported by Robin Duvergé, the former hooker and captain.
Mamuka Magrakvelidze intervenes in the scrum, and Jérémy Aicardi, in charge of Monaco Rugby 7, provides the link between fifteen players and seven players. The workforce remained stable, however we count the arrivals of Gerbette (pillar, Antibes), Ramahérison (scrum half, Massy), Bert (opener, Palavas-Lunel) and Jordan (back, Nice). Conversely, the second lines Fabiao (Grasse) and Wallis (return to England), the third line Zielinski (Lille) and the hooker Arnou (Draguignan) will miss the call.
So what can we expect from Monaco 2022/2023? “The priority is obviously to maintain. For the rest, we’ll see.”. What is certain is that the hen 2, in which in particular Voiron, Fréjus Saint-Raphaël, Tournon or even Les Angles (greatly disappointed with the past exercise), will perhaps only leave room for approximation . The first match saw the Monegasques narrowly losing to Tournon-Tain (18-12) before winning the first match at home against Saint-Jean en Royans (24-19). The end of this first block was sold by another away defeat (37-22 at Montmélian), but not enough to undermine the morale of the Red and Whites, sure of their ability to bounce back. Long is the road, even on a rock…