Rugby: for Nîmes, another leader to bring down

Après Mâcon, battu 29-10 en décembre, les Nîmois vont-ils faire tomber un autre leader ? Midi Libre – MiKAëL ANISSET

Nationale 2/13e journée. Après Mâcon mi-décembre, Nîmes (2e) s’attaque au Stade Métropolitain, actuel leader de la poule 2, ce dimanche 13 janvier.

"It’is a team that is doing quite well for us!" From there to say that it will be an easy trip, far from that idea. Quite the contrary, because RCN captain Benjamin Barnerias fully expects, this Sunday, January 14, a "strong opposition" on Lyon soil. "We will have to be vigilant against a very good team with a big pack. Team which has relied on a stable group for several seasons and which knows each other perfectly."

A team that is doing well for the Gardois

One thing is certain, for two seasons, the Nîmes have often emerged victorious from their confrontation with the Rhone residents. Last September, with a short success in the first leg (16-13). Two clear and clear victories last season (16-44 in the first leg and 27-17 in the return). Same price in 2016-2017. Could the RCN be the bane of the Stade Métropolitain (Villeurbanne) ? "We know we are expected for at least two reasons. They will be keen to assume their status as leader, and they will surely want to put an end to this series of defeats against us!", recognizes the Gard third line.

The Lyonnais on good momentum

Since their Nationale 2 semi-final lost last year against Périgueux, the Greater Lyon players have been on a good run, with eight victories for four defeats. "The results are very satisfactory because’it is never easy to confirm the results from one season to the next", rejoices their manager, Julien Lestang.

The figures confirm this feeling: with only 18 tries taken, it is the team which has conceded the fewest since the start of the championship. Only Mâcon, the former leader largely beaten at Kaufmann on December 16 (29-10), did as well. On the offensive side, with 266 points and 25 tries, the Stade Métropolitain players are among the best attacks in the group. 2

Getting to the heart of the matter

"Their strong points: a solid defense, a strong conquest, good occupation of the field and reliable scorers, analyzes the captain of the RCN, who is delighted to start the year with This meeting. This match at the top takes us back to the heart of the matter, always with the desire to finish in the top 2 in mind!" To bring down two leaders in quick succession and take the lead would be very strong.

Nîmes (2nd, 39 pts) plays at Rillieux-la-Pape, Stade du Loup Pendu, this Sunday at 3:15 p.m. against Stade Métropolitain (1st, 40 pts). I subscribe to read more