What do you think about this win and the first trophy you won with a club that you joined in 2011
I don’t know what to do… It’s amazing! We fought for, men have been there for ten or eleven years, and they won nothing. It’s insane, I don’t know why.
It is against Leinster, who is a giant of Europe.
Sure. We were seen as losers by everyone, which is a good thing. We came to play, but we also came to win. We cannot take it away. That’s done.
Is it possible that this is because you have been too bossy?
(He blows.) Yes, Leinster has beaten us before. We’re going be the team that he wants to defeat now, I think (smile).
How many times has the cup been touched?
I believe I took two to three photos, but I think it was within a week (laughs ).
What were you saying to yourself in the locker-room?
Everyone was so upset that we didn’t have the time to speak, and everyone was crying. Strong emotions are common, people are happy, and beers go everywhere.
How was the last action with Arthur Retiere winning the win?
We do very little together during the week. He didn’t tell us that he was going score but that he was going drop a bit to win (laughs). It’s amazing that he scored the winning try. We put the pressure on them, and they made mistakes. That’s where they are strong, up front. They were put under pressure. We aren’t going to argue that it made sense to score, but it is hard to stop when you’ve done them for 8 to 9 minutes, Leinster included.
It is comparable to winning Grand Slam in Six Nations Championship?
Because I have been playing in La Rochelle since a while and it has been a while that we have touched a cup together, “Saze”(Romain Sazy), Kevin (“Gurdon”), I think I will savor more. There are a few more things I don’t know.
Your eyes are sparkling…
(Smiles.) Yeah, that’s cool!
How do you make the switch from the Top 14 to this trip to Lyon? It seems impossible.
With a little recuperation, there, we will return to La Rochelle to celebrate it properly. I believe that Tuesday or Wednesday we will need to refocus our attention on Lyon because we are still not qualified. Last night was a great game, Lyon won the Challenge Cup over Toulon. Editor’s Note: Congratulations to them! The season isn’t over, there are still 14 Top 14 stages to hang. It will bring some play, I believe.
With children from the club like Thomas Berjon and Matthias Haddad-Victor, you are European champion.
(He cuts.) We are a team. It doesn’t really matter who plays. Leo Aouf was 24th. We’re a group that wins. We’re 45 all year. If we’re still here today, it’s because of everyone. Victor (Vito), (Tawera Kerr-Barlow) and Victor (Vito), couldn’t play. It’s amazing how guys who have never played much come out of nowhere to make this game. That’s what makes a great group.
Vincent Merling, how are you?
Ah, he seems very happy (smiles). He is still in the locker, and I don’t know if he will ever return to La Rochelle.
