Champions Cup – Romain Ntamack (Toulouse): “Munster is solid, but playful”
CHAMPIONS CUP – Stade Toulousain receives Munster on Sunday January 22, on behalf of the 4th and last day of the group stage of the Champions Cup. Present at the press conference Romain Ntamack returned to the challenges of this meeting and in particular the fact of playing the final stages at home in the event of victory.
Romain, with three teams tied in your group, an attacking bonus against Munster is essential?
We knew that it was absolutely necessary to win at Sale. After seeing the face of the match, we could have brought in an attacking bonus and we should have done so. We didn’t, that’s how it is. Now we have one game left to play, against Munster who are also coming to ensure their qualification. It’s going to be a tough match, it’s up to us to make the copy as perfect as possible and afford a reception in the final phase.
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You are the last to play after Leicester and La Rochelle, is that more of an advantage?
Yes, that’s quite a small advantage in my opinion. We will return to the lawn knowing what we are getting into. But in any case, it will be necessary to win and with an offensive bonus if possible to have no regrets. But yes, it’s good to have a global vision by playing last.
What memories did they leave you with after the first leg?
We expect to receive a team from Munster with a lot of aggressive commitments. In the first leg the conditions were difficult, but they had already tried to send a lot of play. Our defense had managed to take over at Thomond Park and that was what worked in our favour. We will play a solid but playful team. We will have to repeat this performance on Sunday, and be present in the fight.
You find Ernest-Wallon after a month without matches in your enclosure, we imagine that it is a pleasure to return there?
Yes, especially since the stadium will still be sold out and that shows that we are supported. We feel it every weekend when we play at home, the public is behind us and it’s really a pleasure. Especially since Sunday against the Irish, we will need the support of the stands to achieve the best possible match to receive during the knockout phase.
You mentioned these final stages at home, would it be a real plus to play at home?
Yes of course (smiles). We hope to have the most elimination matches in Ernest-Wallon. We saw that last season it was difficult away from home and we want to avoid that this year. Even if we had a good campaign last year, playing in Toulouse might have helped us a little more.
As the Six Nations Tournament approaches, how are you showing up physically?
I’m a little cooler. The rotations ensure that all the players manage to have their recovery period. Which helps us to chain games with perhaps more success than last season. We talked about it with the staff in the off-season, we manage better and it offers collective emulation, because every day is concerned.
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