Pro D2: in Colomiers, Béziers does not want to make the figures lie

Raffaele Costa-Storti est une des armes offensives de Béziers. Il a inscrit 13 essais depuis le début du championnat. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

Meilleure attaque et meilleur marqueur d'essais du championnat, ce jeudi 11 janvier (21 h), Béziers entend continuer sur sa lancée, à Colomiers, qui n'a pas encore perdu à domicile.

The numbers and statistics speak for themselves. For now, in any case, they confirm that Béziers is one of the leaders of the championship and has in no way stolen its second place in the ranking: after fifteen matches played, ASBH has the best attack (405 points scored), ahead of Grenoble (404 points) and Vannes (386 points). With 52 tries registered (48 for Vannes, 43 for Nevers), it can also boast of having become a machine for inflicting migraines on its opponents.

Numbers are stubborn

In short, the figures being desperately stubborn, this Thursday, January 11 (9 p.m.), in Colomiers, the Béziers camp would see themselves driving the point home. Especially since it is obvious that the Clément Ancely 's teammates are mastering their subject better and better, in terms of play and offensive system:  "We have, of course,  weapons in attack with players like, for example,  Raffaele Costa Storti, notes Karne Kaufana, the three-quarter coach of Béziers , in charge of the offensive system. But, in fact, today we see the result of three years of work with this group. It’s daily work. We are looking for new things, new game launches. Of course, offensively, in the game, players have a certain freedom and it is important to give it. Because it’s not us, the staff, who are on the ground. Players must therefore be able to read it to a certain extent. We have, indeed, intelligent players, whether old or young. There has been good progress on their part in this reading of the game."

Play smart

The coach believes, however, that in Colomiers, who have not yet lost on home soil and have conceded few points at home, they will have to play intelligently. The Columérins are, in fact, 4th in the ranking for the best home defense, Béziers occupying 9th place on the list: "It will be different from what we have seen&nbsp ;facing Aurillac, warns Karne Kaufana. We will have to be more pragmatic. We may see fewer tries in this match. Because if there is the opportunity to take three points, it will have to be done. We are ambitious but we also have to be smart."

For several weeks, this ability to adapt to the opponent's game has been one of Béziers' strengths. Who would hit very hard by bringing back points from Colomiers, before receiving Provence Rugby and Agen.

The team: at 9 p.m., at the Michel-Bendichou stadium.

Hit in one knee, winger Nicolas Plazy was left to rest. Suddenly, fullback Gabin Lorre slides to the left wing and Victor Druille starts at fullback. Injured, too, the second row Gillian Benoy will not be on the trip to Colomiers either. Clément Bitz makes his return to the bench where he will find Samuel Marques. Short will attack the match from the scrum. For the rest no changes compared to the team which faced Aurillac.

Béziers: Dreuille – Costa Storti, Votu, Lorre – (o) Malié- (m) Short- Ancely (cap.), Pauta, Ancely (cap.), Van Bost- Madigan, Nkinsi- Zabala , Arnoldi, Amrouni. Rep. : Lalevée, Fernandes, Gunther, Bitz, Marques, Tupuola, Koen, Trauth.

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