Top 14: “Even the pillars scoring before me”, “The birth was difficult”… the best declarations of the 21st day

There is still one derby left in this 21st day – Racing against Stade Français this Sunday evening – but already, certain declarations have attracted those who love the tasty little post-match phrases. We took stock of what to remember and the actors of the Top 14 were, for some, particularly in good shape in front of the microphones. Compilation.

“I feel very tired (laughs)”, laughs Chocobares

Obviously happy with his team’s victory in Castres, Santiago Chocobares answered our questions after the meeting. “Very tired, in his words, the Argentinian center underlined the importance of Toulouse’s success in Tarn. “I didn’t know that the last victory here was in 2019 but it was really important for us because it was not an easy week for the whole group.” “It was a derby, and I learned in Argentina that a derby, you have to win it”, adding that he and his teammates were now focused at 100 % on the championship in order to win the Brennus shield at the end of the season.

Also read:
Castres-Stade Toulousain: “I learned in Argentina that you have to win a derby”, relishes Santiago Chocobares after the victory of the “rouge et noir”

Christophe Urios and a childbirth story

He had not spoken to the media for many weeks, Christophe Urios, the Clermont coach, reappeared at a press conference before the match against LOU. And after the victory of ASM (41-23), the technician of the “jaunards” known for his outspokenness did not deviate from the rule. “The president made a remark to me which I find fair and which reflects the match quite well. He said to me: ‘The birth was difficult, but everything ended well’. It’s a bit true. How do I explain it? In the first half, we dropped 15 balls so when you want to impose things, it’s complicated. I think we put the cart before the horse a bit,” he summarized in comments reported by The Mountain.

Cowie laughs at himself

“It’s even my first try as a professional!” Scorer of a double at Montauban, Toulon center Oliver Cowie, aged 20, was enjoying his first achievements in the elite, his initial period of scarcity having earned him some mischievous reprimands. “I’m in my fifteenth match, I was starting to be criticized because the pillars were scoring before me. But as long as we win and the team plays well…” Something tells us that it won’t be these last two.

Also read:
Rugby (Top 14). “We always have air holes that spoil the party.” The first reactions after Montauban’s defeat against Toulon

Hollie Davidson, first woman to referee in Top 14: “It exceeded all my expectations”

This Top 14 day was also marked by a historic first time: a referee was appointed to officiate Clermont – Lyon. Scotland’s Hollie Davidson was extremely happy after the meeting, as reported Rugby Rama. “It was incredible. I arrived at the Marcel-Michelin stadium before the teams arrived to observe and capture the atmosphere, and it was really impressive. I witnessed the arrival of the Clermont players, with the fervor of their audience, it was quite intimidating! The atmosphere lasted for the entire 80 minutes. It exceeded all my expectations.”

Nouchi alerts his “average” teammates against Perpignan

“We were all a little average, if not rubbish.” The hard-fought victory at home against Perpignan (42-31) was far from satisfying Hérault captain Lenni Nouchi. “There are a few individuals who save us the match, it’s a good reminder,” recalled the third row of a team which is still third in the Top 14.