Things are getting serious for Toulouse Olympique, beginning with the visit of Doncaster on Saturday 4th June, at stade Ernest Argelès, Blagnac (18h30).
In the run-up to the match, Johnathon FORD, Toulouse’s Cook Island international halfback, shares the latest team news and discusses the team’s latest victory despite the absence of several important players.
How did the game against Gloucester go?
Johnathon FORD: It was a difficult match, more than we’d anticipated. Our opponents played very well and stuck to their game plan, which caused us a lot of problems. I’ve got a lot of respect for them and the performance they produced but I’m also proud of our reaction to that. Gloucester had already tested us in the Challenge Cup, and it was clear that they’d been working hard in the meantime. The weather made the match even more difficult – it was very hot, which didn’t help either team.
What is the general feeling in the side after the victory?
Johnathon FORD: We had a couple of regrets after the first game against Gloucester, so we’re happy to have got the win in those conditions. We scored fewer points but the All Golds were much better prepared in defence, and we conceded a lot fewer points as well, which was one of our aims. All the squad and the staff have worked hard together to get this result, which is more impressive given the absence of several of our starting line-up. That said, we really missed Sébastien (PLANAS), Andrew (BENTLEY) and Bastien (ADER), as we have the whole time they’ve been out.
What is the impact of these absences on the side?
Johnathon FORD: It’s true to say that, right now, it’s tough knock after tough knock for us with several key players getting injured or suspended, and that obviously has an effect on the pitch. The team has to reorganise around different players, around different leaders.
In terms of my own game, since the injury to Sébastien (PLANAS), I’ve been given the job of captain. For me, that’s already part of my role, so it’s normal, natural even, to take this on. It doesn’t really change the way I play.
On the team front, not having these players is of course a handicap, but the younger players are doing a great job in keeping the team performing so well. At the moment we’ve got no other choice, we’re lining up like this and I think it’s going pretty nicely, I think the whole team is satisfied with what we’re managing to do together. The younger players are putting in a good shift: let me take the example of Gavin (MARGUERITE) who’s doing great work standing in for Bastien (ADER).
Adding to all that, the next month promises to be a busy one for TO, in particular 3 tough home fixtures…
Johnathon FORD : We’re not looking too far into the future, we’re just taking it step-by-step, game-by-game. That’s how we’re doing this, never skipping a step. You can’t get ahead of yourself. Right now we’re focusing on our next game, the home match against Doncaster, even if it’s true that it’s the first of a series of games that will be very challenging.
We give it our all every time, on the pitch and in training. We treat every opponent the same. We want to get better and better and it’s only hard work that will get us there. Our ambition is to progress game-on-game and to use what we learn to overcome our opponents. We want to improve so that we can reach our objectives.
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For the game at stade Ernest Argelès (Rue du Moulin – 31700 Blagnac), standard entry will be priced at €10 (€5 for students, disabled people (80%) and jobseekers), seats in the East stand at €15 and seats in the West stand (Tribune d’Honneur) at €20.
Come join us at Blagnac to support Toulouse Olympique !
Infos / points de vente :
Toulouse Olympique XIII – 107, avenue Frédéric Estèbe – 31200 Toulouse
Tél : 05.61.57.80.00 / Mail : contact@to13.com
Billetterie électronique : https://www.to13.com/billetterie
