Last August, Jean-Noël Spitzer was very clear on the ambitions of “neo-Promu”: staying in the match as long as possible, if possible until the 26th day. Three games from this last meeting, Vannes does better than that. The 12th place is even possible.
Fourteorzism since September 8 and the opening defeat against the Toulousain stadium, the RC Vannes, the smallest budget, smaller wages learned very quickly and at all levels. Finally, its greatest quality is never to let go even after great disillusions. Two examples: last November, the Bretons lead 27-0 at half an hour of play against the UBB but finally bowed at the end of an “Imperdable” match. The reaction? Bright victory at La Rochelle. Three weeks ago, a lesson received in Castres in the Tarnaise rain. Reaction ?
First improved victory and against Toulon, please. This match revived the Vannetais and also the “below” championship with the Stade Français, Perpignan and Vannes in the leading roles in the lead with four crucial games to play. Joe Edwards, one of the leaders of Vannes after success against the RCT: “It was a reference match, we sent a real message to the championship of the genre: “Listen to the guys, we are not yet in Pro D2, we are in Top 14 and we want to stay in Top 14!” It’s like that … “
Twelfth place, not an inaccessible star
There is no doubt that the Stade Français and Perpignan also want to stay in Top 14 … To do this, each club has its strengths. Perpignan knows the throes of the struggle and can boast of having won the two access games he had to play in 2022 and 2023. The Stade Français, in the event of equality with Vannes, has the advantage of the particular goal-awakening. And valves, in all of this? Bizuth has a slight advantage in terms of calendar with, to start next Saturday this Perpignan – Stade Français of all dangers for the protagonists, of all hopes for Bretons.
But not enough to ignite Spitzer: “Prohibit players from looking at the ranking? They do what they want, but we don’t rely on it. There are too many things that we do not master. The first positive result of the teams that are in front of us, it can mine our morale. We need to be fresh in our heads to approach the matches we have left. If the preparation of the week before Toulon can be used again? Bigoudens at the Rabine, we will be strong! “ The freshness shown against Toulon, the fact of being alive in mid-May, this way of playing without pressure thanks to this approach pushes optimism. “Treizames? We sign immediately.” Twelfth place is not, either, an inaccessible star. The 24th day will be balanced in terms of issues for the opponents of the club of “three from below”: Perpignan will go to Clermont, Vannes in Bayonne and the Stade Français will receive Lyon.
Supposed advantage for Vannes for the 25th day, with Perpignan and the Stade Français on the move with “big of the middle who want to be upstairs”, respectively Clermont and La Rochelle, the Bretons welcoming Palois who have almost nothing to play in Top 14. It will be time then, on June 7, to know in multiplex which from Vannes to the UBB, from the Stade Français against Castres or Perpignan smile.
Calendar of the maintenance struggle
23rd day
Vannes – La Rochelle
Perpignan – Stade Français
24th day
Clermont – Perpignan
Bayonne – Vannes
Stade Français – Lyon
25th day
Clermont – Stade Français
Vannes – Pau
La Rochelle – Perpignan
26th day
Stade Français – Castres
Bordeaux -Bègles – Vannes
Perpignan – Toulouse
