"There is nothing more beautiful than this semi-final in San Sebastian", says Julien Laïrle

2023-06-04 22:02:16

“The players were like our season: one shot up, one shot down. But the group showed character! We are on a third semi-final on a four-year project, it’s fantastic. There is nothing more beautiful than qualifying when everyone thinks you are going to collapse, there is nothing more beautiful than this semi-final in San Sebastien. Once again, I retain the state of mind of a group which has tightened. At the break, I found that the guys lowered their heads: in the scrum, it was difficult; in touch, we did not have good balls. I told them we had nothing more to lose. Something had to happen, especially at the forwards, to revive. This is what happened in particular thanks to the entries of the bench. La Rochelle? Let us enjoy tonight, we’ll talk about it tomorrow. »

Mahamadou Diaby (UBB third line)

“A crazy game! Until the last minute, a real final phase match. In these matches, the trap when you are trailing is to let go completely. We did not give up, we tried until the end. When we found ourselves at 13 however, there, it was hot: we felt that the LOU was there. As soon as they had a touch, a scrum, they were able to get into our camp. […] It is clear that the season is not over: one more week to prepare for a semi-final, it comes down to paying well. We have all the tools to recover: we are happy to be there. La Rochelle are the favourites, but for this Lyon match, we were clearly the outsiders too. This position is also what allows you to sublimate yourself. »