“Is it hard to lose a match like that, which you have dominated for a long time?
Yes, it’s hard. I don’t know if this match is unlosable either, the Sharks didn’t steal it, they had a very strong moment from the 60th minute. We had a little more difficulty at that time. We had built the match well, we were ready physically and mentally. I especially regret all these penalties conceded in the first period where we gave them twelve points. In matches like that, you can’t… It’s frustrating, cruel for the guys because the season is not easy and we deserved to go to the final.
Do you see any turning points in this match?
There are several of them. In the first half, we don’t need to make all these mistakes. Eight fouls, even though we weren’t in danger and they didn’t come into our 22 meters once… That kept them in the match. In the second half, we couldn’t find a touch, and we received a yellow card and a try behind. And there is this situation with Joris Jurand (voluntarily blocked by full-back Aphelele Fassi, who takes a yellow card, but no penalty attempt, 64th), this refereeing decision, and we do not pass the penalty… These are moments in the match where we cannot beat them.
Up front, you managed to dominate them…
Yes, we had a pack there, in touch, in scrum, on maul. We seem surprised today but this is the level we should be at all the time. We have to want to do things together like we did today (Saturday) but also against Stade Français last week (41-18 victory). In Bordeaux, it wasn’t that (41-7 defeat)… The forwards had to show the way, they did the job and this match is decided on details.
“It smelled like death”
About the atmosphere in the Clermont locker room after the defeat
Do you agree with the referee’s decision when Fassi obstructed Jurand’s race?
I don’t know… They took 30 minutes to watch it (smile). Honestly, I have no opinion (on a possible penalty try). What’s more annoying is that they get a yellow for foul play and we don’t score a try because Joris can’t take the ball. I have the impression that he (the referee, Mr. Luke Pearce) went in between, he played a bit of politics on this action. Same at the end of the match, he managed the thing a little while they were offside several times during our last actions. But the match is not played on that.
What was the locker room like after the match?
Touched, marked… It smelled of death. When you give everything and it comes down to nothing, it’s hard for the players. We had the ambition to win this European Cup and I am convinced that the team which won today (Saturday) would win this competition. That’s how it is… But at the same time, it must give us strength and confidence to continue moving forward. We are capable. »
