On one hand, yes, but you always want to play and help your teammates in this kind of environment. I feel better now, it was the last break of the season and I am ready for the next high intensity weeks.

On one hand, yes, but you always want to play and help your teammates in this kind of environment. I feel better now, it was the last break of the season and I am ready for the next high intensity weeks.

Beyond this loss against Toulon (19-15), we saw a good Stade Toulousen, especially in the rucks and defensively…

I’m looking for it too. We took control of the game, we did what we know how to do and everything went well for an hour. Unfortunately our defensive efforts were not rewarded.

We get the impression that this championship, usually very tight, has never been so tight, right?

The first two (Montpellier and UBB) have a small margin but with respect to the other four places, with three rounds to go, we have to win the match, take bonus points… Anyway, at home, to win, we can’ not spoil our chances of being in the top 6. a top 4? We have to guarantee the top 6 first. Being practical, we should aim for a top 6, and if there’s a top 4 or something, we’ll take it.

La Rochelle is often associated with its “big men”, is that the case for you?

They have a great pack, and if their ball carriers are in use, they charge you for it. Quality, international experience, and we take this match as a great test. Victory, penetrating group, slowing your balls to the rucks, putting pressure on them with high balls… these are the keys in my opinion.

“In practice, we should aim for a top 6, and if there’s a top 4 or something, we’ll take it”

You’ll find Will Skelton, your competitor with the Wallabies (this autumn, during three Australian Tests, Arnold started and Skelton replaced him during the game)…

It’s always nice to meet compatriots when you’re in France. He’s a quality player, very, very physical, and one of La Rochelle’s important men who have to stop. Yes, he touched against Perpignan but I would be surprised if he hadn’t been on the pitch on Saturday. we will see.

From a personal point of view, after your double with Stade Toulouse in 2021 and before joining Japan, you need to add a new line to your list…

it’s clear ! We play rugby to win and I want to be on top with Toulouse. I’d love to win the championship a second time… But we’re not there yet, and things are going to happen every week, between the Top 14 and the Champions Cup. I didn’t need a new challenge, but I had an opportunity. As a professional rugby player you have a chance to be able to take to the world: Australia, Europe, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan… it’s something special.