Toulon – MHR: “I always wanted to make my mark in my club”, center Thomas Darmon talks about Montpellier’s start to the season

“We're going to give it our all this season together,” promises MHR center Thomas Darmon. Midi Libre – DORIAN CAYUELA

The MHR center is one of the most used players at the start of the season. A rebirth for Thomas Darmon, who has experienced everything within his training club. He confides before the trip to Toulon, this Saturday, October 19 (4:30 p.m.).

Did this first home victory do any good for morale ?

Yes, definitely. It also feels good to win matches that are a bit close like that. Because last year, we didn't win much, when there was a back-and-forth, when it was close, when it was decided in the last five minutes. This time, we won. That's really what we remember. In terms of content, there are a lot of things to improve. Because we win this match, but if you lose it, it's the same.

Precisely, it took you ten matches before winning a second victory last season. Was that something that was starting to bother you a little??

Obviously, when you lose two home games at the start of the season, unfortunately, you find yourself at the bottom of the big rankings. Afterwards, we know that we are capable of doing great things. We showed that in Perpignan in particular. We just need to be much more consistent, sort out a few points in attack. Frankly, I have faith in this team. I know what we are capable of. I am not necessarily worried. It is good to say it, but we will need to act and we will need to start winning games. Because we still have a big schedule looming. So, we will need to win games.

You've experienced everything with this club, how do you experience this situation as a child of the club ?

It's true that it's a bit special because there have been a lot of good times and a lot of complicated times, especially recently. It's hard to explain because the year before the title was also very complicated. We had a very complicated first six months where we were also playing to stay up. And then, there was the end of the season when we were champions in the Challenge Cup. That year was a bit weird. And then, there was the year of the title, of course, where it was really a full season from start to finish. We really played some big games. We were strong defensively. We were dominant up front. That's really Montpellier's DNA. Since I started, that's always been it. And last year, we almost went down. It's hard to say either. You have to be aware that the other teams, next door, are working really well. The workforce is getting stronger and stronger.

We're on the right track

From a personal point of view, you've had your ups and downs, have you wanted to look elsewhere ?

I always wanted to make my mark in my club. In fact, that's also why I re-signed. I remember at the time, it was with Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Joan Caudullo in training. At that time, I was in a bit of a rush. I had just completed a training camp with the French team. I had had a great season at the club in Montpellier. And it's true that when I re-signed, I had several clubs that wanted me. I chose to stay in Montpellier because the project, at that time, which had been presented to me by Joan and Jean-Baptiste, was interesting. That is to say, putting the emphasis on DNA, on young people, on training. And keeping old players like Benoît Paillaugue or Geoffrey Doumayrou who could potentially coach and stay at the club to structure this club. And in the years to come, gradually settle into the best teams in this championship. Once I resigned, the coaches were fired. And it's true that from then on, everything was called into question. Because these were new coaches who arrived, who didn't necessarily know us very well. They had to make choices from the start. My case was a bit special. I started playing less. It was a very complicated period last year. But honestly, it's true that at the end of the season, there were rumors that I was going to sign elsewhere. But that wasn't my intention.

You have found playing time this season with this new staff. There are also boys like Lenny Nouchi, Arthur Vincent… boys who have this club DNA. It is important for you that this Montpellier DNA is coming back?

Yes, it is very important. And once again, that is why I resigned my new contract with Montpellier a year and a half ago. And now, it is gradually coming into place. I think we are back on the right track. It is very good. I really think that we are on the right track. But now, it will perhaps take a little time. We will have to strengthen the workforce further. But I am sure that for the years to come, this is what had to be done.

What we experienced last year brought us closer

How do you see the future of the MHR ?

We're going to fight. We're going to give it our all this season together. We're a united group with what we experienced last year. Really, I feel it, it brought us closer. And we're starting to get used to knockout matches. Last weekend, we won.

I hope it happens again. But with the season we had last year, we know these games that are decided by details, that are very, very tight. Often, it is decided in the last five minutes. I think this group is ready to have scenarios like that. I remain confident for the future. Especially since there is really room for improvement, especially in attack. In defense, we are pretty good. We have found this collective strength and a good defense. But now, it's the attack that we really need to improve on.

This match against Vannes, which was already a bit of a fear match, can it help you for the future ?

Yes, I think so. Indeed, the content was not great. We did not play a great match at all, far from it. There were a lot of mistakes. We reviewed it on video several times. There are a lot of things to improve. But despite that, we won the match. I think that is part of the game. You can't be good every weekend, in such a difficult championship. But if you win, it still sends a signal. It means that the basics are there. The defense, the fight, we were there.

There are also leaders who are starting to emerge, I am thinking in particular of Stuart Hogg or Billy Vunipola. You needed the input of outside players like that ?

Yes, I think Bernard Laporte identified it right away. When he arrived, this team lost a lot of leaders and guys who retired, especially after the title. It's true that experienced players like that were missing. There are leaders in the team, even the youngest ones, that's not really the question, but experienced players like that who have experienced a bit of everything in rugby, it's true that that was a bit lacking. We, really, are going to rely on guys like Billy and Stuart Hogg too who do good, who bring their expertise and all their experience. It's true that Billy is going to start gaining weight in the group, especially since we can see that he had a great match in the last one. He's getting sharper, getting back in shape. We're going to be able to count on guys like that. They're into exchanging, sharing. They're really good guys. We felt it right away from the whole team. They are unanimous.

From a personal point of view, what are your goals??

In the short term, I want to help the club, help my team do more on the pitch. Because it's true that I've had a lot of playing time. I've been able to express myself a little, but I'm not yet satisfied with my performance. I hope to bring even more to the team. In any case, I'm not very satisfied with my start to the season. A bit like the team too. But I just want to play with my club and my team and try to perform even better and give it my all. After that, we'll see about the rest. I'm far from that, I've come a long way. I really want to give my all for the team for now.