Toulouse have the semi-final of the Champions Cup to come against Leinster “in the corner of their heads”, international Thibaud Flament admitted on Friday before the reception of Lyon on Sunday at the end of the 22nd day of the Top 14, which allow you to “think about something else”.
Can you, when resuming the championship, ignore the clash against Leinster in two weeks in Dublin?
“We have it in the back of our minds because it reminds us of the game we lost there last year. It’s a Champions Cup semi-final, a big game, Leinster are in good shape. There are plenty of reasons why we think about it a lot, but after the last two weekends (eighth and quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, editor’s note), it also does us good to focus on something else. We had two high-level matches. It was still a lot of pressure, a lot of adrenaline. We need to think about something else, to immerse ourselves in another competition, another context, so as not to leave too much mental juice there.
Your coach Ugo Mola recently remarked that you have been very good with the France team, but haven’t played much with Toulouse this season…
“He is right. At the end of the Tournament (of the six nations), I had almost as much, if not a little more, playing time in the French team than with the Toulouse stadium. So I too was looking forward to being able to wear the shirt and be of service to the team and the club. It was something that I missed. I’m happy to be able to play again here with the guys.
Do you have the feeling of having returned from selection with a new status?
“I don’t pay too much attention to it. I’m just trying to keep working and moving forward without asking myself too much about what status I have, how to manage it (…) It’s true that the Tournament went well on a personal level . I came back full of confidence. It helps me to progress, to feel good on the field, outside too. I already felt very good before, but I feel really good now (smile).