Rugby: Nîmes go on a conquest

RCN wing three-quarter Junior Ngandu scored two tries against Tricastin in a friendly.

After two disappointing seasons, RC Nîmois is not hiding its ambitions in National 2 before its first match at promoted Orléans, Saturday August 31 at 7:45 p.m.: the goal is promotion.

9560 kilometers: this is the total distance that Guillaume Aguilar's men will have to ''carry'' in group 1 for this third season in National 2. A group that some have already renamed ''from the rest of France'', the other having a more regional accent, that of the South-West. This long journey begins this Saturday with a plane trip to Orléans.
The semi-finalists of Fédérale, beaten by Mauléon, carried out an ambitious recruitment during the off-season.

Orléans is only promoted in name

With, first and foremost, the recruitment of a new coach, Romain Cabannes, the one who, with Christophe Hamacek, brought the Langon club up to the National League. Charles Brayer, a 27-year-old third row who has played in the Pro D2, like scrum-half Jean-Victor Goillot (17 matches with Béziers last season), have come to strengthen the Loire squad.

In addition to the other recruits at the back, Philip Wokorach, ex-Bédarrides, or left pillar Dylan Jacquot, who has played for Grenoble, Rouen and Albi. ''It's a team that has nothing to do with the Fédérale 1'', acknowledged RCN co-captain Benjamin Barnerias (Editor's note: with Marius Vialle and Justin Phillips, they are three captains). In the middle of the week, around the Kaufmann stadium, impatience was making itself felt. ''We can't wait to start the championship, to get to the heart of the matter'', admitted the third row.

A RCN without real pressure but with a lot of desire

Impatient, but vigilant :''We are expecting a big challenge! The club has put us in a good position to approach this match. It is up to us to live up to it.'' A trip in ideal conditions, by plane and hotel night, while the Espoirs, who are playing in the curtain raiser, will do so by bus (more than six hours of travel).
A trip without real pressure (?), but with a lot of desire, against a team renowned for its playful side: ''It sends the game from everywhere.'' Often in difficulty outside of their bases last season, the Nîmes hope to start their season ideally before the reception of Aubenas (September 7) and the derby, always tight, at Bédarrides, the 15th.

The latest news from the RCN

INFIRMARY – Having undergone knee surgery (removal of part of the patellar cartilage) on August 19 at the PGS in Nîmes, center Thomas Roche will be out of action for two to three months. The other center Rémy Pichard, who has a knee injury, is safe. As for prop Corentin Maumont, he will be back in six weeks (ankle sprain with bone tear).
SUSPENSION – RCN scrum-half Justin Phillips will not be on this first match sheet. Suspended following the red card received during the play-off against Anglet (5 matches). The South African will be eligible for requalification on the 3rd day, in Bédarrides.
EVENING- It is in Rue Auguste, at the foot of the Maison Carrée, that the RCN will hold its season launch party, on Thursday, September 5 from 6:30 p.m. With presentation of the team and jerseys.

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