INTERVIEW – The rear of the XV of France evokes the new season of Stade Rochelais now coached by Ronan O’Gara. After the two finals lost last year.
How do you approach this recovery of the Top 14?
Brice Dulin: We are very happy. As we have seen with the start of Pro D2, the stadiums are full. It is impatience that predominates, we know that we will relive moments with the public. It will make us happy.
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Did Stade Rochelais digest the two defeats in the final of last season?
We talked about it again. It is true that from an accounting point of view, we have zero securities. With a little more hindsight, we can say to ourselves that we had a good season. The frustration, which can be legitimate, is to say that we made the efforts to reach these two finals but that we were not able to win them. This is what we missed compared to Toulouse, a club which is used to experiencing these kinds of events and which made the perfect matches to simply win. We must be aware of our beautiful journey but not be satisfied with it.
We have had changes in the group of players, in the staff as well. Everything fell into place easily
Brice Dulin
Are these failures that nonetheless make you grow?
It makes you grow if we don’t make the same mistakes and our season is different. We will see at the end of this season if we have learned from what we have experienced.
After the departure of Jono Gibbes, Ronan O’Gara is now alone at the helm. What has that changed?
We know each other well with Ronan (who started his coaching career at Racing 92, editor’s note). The Rochelais group knows him well now. It’s going to be a new position for him in this group. Things started off well, quite naturally. We have had changes in the group of players, in the staff as well. Everything fell into place easily. But only the truth of the matches will tell us if all of this is positive. I think it will be. This will also require the involvement and seriousness of the players on the field. We have to check our good feelings on the ground.
Should we expect a new way of playing from Stade Rochelais?
There will be no great revolution. We will stick to what we know how to do, what we were able to show last season. There will be adjustments, as for all teams, it will happen naturally. The first goal will be to analyze what we were able to do well last season and to erase what was less positive. So that we are more regular and efficient.
We have to make a good start because all the points lost, we have to whip at the end of the season to qualify. This is where you can lose energy before the final stages
Brice Dulin
And you find Toulouse, your double executioner …
You have to start well … There are 10, even 12 teams that are able to qualify (for the finals) on paper. We have to make a good start because all the points lost, we have to whip at the end of the season to qualify. This is where you can lose energy before the final stages. We therefore need to get off to a very good start, in addition to home. It’s a big piece, Toulouse arrives with its full group because its internationals have been off this summer.
As a rear, what is the 50:22 rule will change ?
Offensively, this brings the possibility of recovering the advance without losing too much energy. Defensively, we will have to accentuate the swing with the wingers, the 10 or the 8 depending on the covers. So as not to be exposed and leave the opportunity to the opponent to come and play with us. For me, there will be no great revolution, great opportunities for the adversaries to come to us. It will just be necessary to be more serious on the covers and the scales, the slightest forgetting can be very expensive. It also bumps in training, on positioning.
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And this year, you will once again lead the Top 14 and the Champions Cup, with a status to defend …
We had the chance last year to qualify on both counts. And to go to the final. For me, having it both ways brings emulation at the group level. Everyone wants to play these matches. This is something positive. This allowed the group and the club to grow.
The All Blacks are fun to watch and it’s going to be even nicer to play against them
Brice Dulin
The XV of France faces the All Blacks in November. Are you already thinking about it?
It will be beneficial for the entire France group. We saw this summer that the pool of players is very extensive. It’s very positive, young players are showing the tip of their nose and showing that the France team is performing whatever the deadlines. This November tour, it will be an additional level to gauge and for the progression that we have seen for a year and a half. New Zealand has been the most consistent nation in recent seasons. The All Blacks bring a breath of fresh air. They are fun to watch and it will be even nicer to play against them.
What is your take on Melvyn Jaminet’s performances in Australia?
I wasn’t surprised, I watch the Pro D2 a lot because I started there (in Agen, Editor’s note). He is a player that I had seen evolve with Perpignan and who is part of the satisfaction of the staff. This France group allows individuals to emerge but it is because there is a strong collective framework, with good benchmarks, it allows the players to express themselves well. Melvyn is one of the good satisfactions of this tour, it is not the only one, and it gives everyone a boost. It also shows that we must not rely on what we know how to do, but that we must continue to work well to progress. It is only possible.
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