“He knew me by heart when I arrived”: Paul Willemse talks about his reunion with Karim Ghezal

Paul Willemse will reunite with Karim Ghezal, his former coach with the XV of France. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

This Saturday, March 30, Montpellier Paul Willemse will meet the former coach of the forwards of the XV of France, Karim Ghezal, today head coach of Stade Français.

On the occasion of Montpellier – Stade Français this Saturday, at the opening of the 20th day of Top 14, two men will meet. The second line of the MHR Paul Willemse and the Parisian head coach Karim Ghezal. The second coached the first when he was responsible for the conquest of the French XV, particularly the sideline sector. Willemse was the Blues' regular number 5 before an injury deprived him of the 2023 World Cup.

"I'm sure he'll try to prepare the guys to really block me"

"He’s a very good trainer. He is able to adapt to everything. He loves his job, he is very precise in the small details. You can be sure that he will prepare his team well", assures the Montpellier resident about the former second or third line.

"When I met him, he knew me by heart. He had watched all my matches. There, I'm sure he'll try to prepare the guys to block me well", smiles Willemse.

Karim Ghezal had also defended the native colossus of Pretoria (South Africa) after his red card against Ireland on February 2. He had published on social networks a photo of Paul Willemse during the Wales match – France of 2022 where the second row had achieved a major performance.

Also read: "If it's my last match with the French team… it's life", his expulsion, his return to the Top 14, Paul Willemse entrusts

The MHR player s’waits at "a big challenge in touch and melee" against the Parisians, leaders of the championship. See you this Saturday, March 30, at 3 p.m., at the GGL Stadium.