Rugby union: for RC Nîmes, progressing to the National level remains the objective

Les Nîmois sont bien décidés à démarrer l'année 2024 pied au plancher. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Un gros mois de janvier attend les rugbymen nîmois, qui ont terminé l'année 2023 sur trois victoires et se préparent pour repartir aussi fort. Dauphin du leader, le club du président Steeve Calligaro a toujours l'ambition de monter à l'étage supérieur.

Barely the last feasts of the end-of-year holidays digested, party favors and Christmas trees put away, the players of the Rugby Club Nîmes returned to training on Monday January 2. No more evenings with friends around a raclette or an aligot, back to the coals to be ready on January 14, with this first meeting of the year at the leader, the Stade Métropolitain.

"The players needed to eliminate the few excesses of the holidays, recognizes Nîmes manager Guillaume Aguilar. In the first days, we set up games to get back into the rhythm of training, get the bodies back on track." Before quickly switching "into championship mode&quot ;

No defeat at Kaufmann in 2023

It was necessary because the RCN technician underlines it: "It's a big month of January that awaits us." With, therefore, a trip to the Metropolitan Stadium and another to Lannemezan (28th). Between the two, the derby will be played against Bédarrides (on the 20th) at the Kaufmann stadium, with the desire displayed, for the Nîmes, to remain intractable on their lawn where they have not lost a single match in 2023&hellip ;

Humility and work

A year concluded with three victories in a row (La Seyne, Aubenas and Mâcon). "Three high-pressure matches" well negotiated, even if, for the Nîmes coach, there is no question of getting fired up: "We must remain humble and work to stay on this dynamic."

Same story with the presidency. "The sporting results are currently in line with the roadmap. The objective has not changed. “It’s about being in a position to be able to play for the title,” recalls Steeve Calligaro. Sine qua non condition for moving up to National. The second ticket is played between the finalist of Nationale 2 and the penultimate of Nationale (like the Top 14 and ProD2).

"Not believing in ourselves would be a mistake"

"It may seem presumptuous but the RCN is one of the four or five teams that could apply for this climb. This group has the potential. The championship formula makes the climb very complicated but not believing in us would be a mistake, continues the strong man of the club. Afterwards, the beauty and cruelty of our sport mean that it is the final phases which determine the outcome of the season."
 

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