In an interview with The team, Ugo Mola, the coach of Stade Toulousain, made some clarifications in the relationship between the Top 14 clubs and the French XV. He thus mentioned in particular the provision of French internationals, following the last World Cup but also with a view to the next one, in 2027 in Australia.
“For four years, everything that was requested by the coach was granted,” recalls Mola. The clubs played the game 100%. France is one of the nations that has had the most of its players. Except that we are told that they have been more exposed in terms of playing time. Our players are in the washing machine of the French rugby ecosystem despite the vigilance and goodwill of the clubs. »
And Mola expresses his regrets regarding the FFR-LFP links: “Given the period and the efforts made, we would have hoped that there would be some form of relaxation. At least in this post-World Cup year. We need a recovery airlock. Let’s put the washing machine on pause so we can get back on a good footing.”
The coach assures him: “It’s difficult because the players are caught in the crossfire.” Before remarking: “To be honest, there were very guilty speeches… Particularly concerning Antoine Dupont”.
Ugo Mola also takes an example from the preparation of the French team for the World Cup, which began in Monaco just two weeks after the Top 14 final between Stade Toulousain and Stade Rochelais (29-26), “the two most big purveyors of the selection.”
“My desire is clear: that no one come and tell me how to manage my internationals,” he says. For four years, I do not have the feeling of having been a hindrance to my players not being able to perform well for international events. »
“We all do stupid things”
He also deplores the mental fatigue that players can feel. Like Julien Marchand, whom he considered “very strongly impacted” by the management of his injury which occurred during the opening match of the World Cup between the Blues and the All Blacks on September 8 (27-13 ). The hooker was however kept in the group in the hope that he would recover. At the end of October, he finally opted for the operation before only playing again this Saturday, December 23. He nevertheless slips: “The idea is not to pose as a lesson giver. We all do stupid things.”
Faced with the failure of the Blues in the quarter-final, Mola says: “After a failure, you have to find those to blame. It was first a question of refereeing… Then it moved to playing time… (…) Failure requires real analysis. I hope the French team did it.”
For the coach, the next Six Nations Tournament (from February 2 to March 16, 2024) will dictate the state of mind for the years to follow,” and it is more than necessary to “adapt.” “But it’s difficult to hear that we still have to give… By shutting up too! »
