Things are getting serious for Toulouse Olympique, beginning with the visit of Doncaster on Saturday 4th June, at stade Ernest ArgelĂšs, Blagnac (18h30).
In the run-up to the match, Johnathon FORD, Toulouseâs Cook Island international halfback, shares the latest team news and discusses the teamâs 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 weâd anticipated. Our opponents played very well and stuck to their game plan, which caused us a lot of problems. Iâve got a lot of respect for them and the performance they produced but Iâm also proud of our reaction to that. Gloucester had already tested us in the Challenge Cup, and it was clear that theyâd been working hard in the meantime. The weather made the match even more difficult â it was very hot, which didnât 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 weâre 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 SĂ©bastien (PLANAS), Andrew (BENTLEY) and Bastien (ADER), as we have the whole time theyâve been out.
What is the impact of these absences on the side?
Johnathon FORD: Itâs true to say that, right now, itâs 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 SĂ©bastien (PLANAS), Iâve been given the job of captain. For me, thatâs already part of my role, so itâs normal, natural even, to take this on. It doesnât 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 weâve got no other choice, weâre lining up like this and I think itâs going pretty nicely, I think the whole team is satisfied with what weâre managing to do together. The younger players are putting in a good shift: let me take the example of Gavin (MARGUERITE) whoâs 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 fixturesâŠ
Johnathon FORD : Weâre not looking too far into the future, weâre just taking it step-by-step, game-by-game. Thatâs how weâre doing this, never skipping a step. You canât get ahead of yourself. Right now weâre focusing on our next game, the home match against Doncaster, even if itâs true that itâs 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 itâs 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 ArgelĂšs (Rue du Moulin â 31700 Blagnac), standard entry will be priced at âŹ10 (âŹ5 for students, disabled people (80%) and jobseekers), seats in the East stand at âŹ15 and seats in the West stand (Tribune dâHonneur) at âŹ20.
Come join us at Blagnac to support Toulouse Olympique !
Infos / points de vente :
Toulouse Olympique XIII – 107, avenue FrĂ©dĂ©ric EstĂšbe – 31200 Toulouse
TĂ©l : 05.61.57.80.00 / Mail : contact@to13.com
Billetterie Ă©lectronique : https://www.to13.com/billetterie
