Rugby, National: CA Périgueux resumes training in the heat

Didier Casadéi and his staff met up with the players on Tuesday to get the serious stuff started: physical preparation, with the first friendly match in sight on August 1st in Souillac against Albi.

And the least we can say is that it was very hot for a return to training. The tests were actually brought forward to 8 a.m. this Tuesday, so as not to overheat the players' bodies too much. Then, the injured players or those who needed to do cardio, went to the new weight room, installed at the Filature de l'Isle. The others had either video for the forwards, or a short break for the three-quarters before doing some weight training in the afternoon, still in this air-conditioned room. "And luckily," admitted center Cyril Couturier, happy to be back with his teammates.

"With this heat, we had to adapt. We train very early in the morning so that the sessions are of good quality," explains Didier Casadéi.

New faces were also present, although the Capiste manager hinted that there could be another last-minute signing. It's worth noting that the club announced the arrival of 19-year-old prop Diego Ferreira from Béziers on Monday.

Acquire a common language

So, for three weeks, the players will learn the new game plans, get back in shape after a well-deserved break, and prepare for the three friendlies: the one against Albi, then on August 9 against Niort in Périgueux, and on August 15 against Langon in Périgueux. It's an opportunity to test themselves before starting the season. "This vacation allowed us to regenerate because last season was long. We're motivated and happy to get back on track," said Didier Casadéi.

These weeks of preparation will be decisive before the league season begins again, likely on the weekend of August 23-24. "It allows us to work as a group, to have intensive training without the shock of matches, without contact," the manager continues. Moreover, the first few days will be without the ball, before moving on to a few matches. During these three weeks, the players will have to acquire a common language, work on their skills, and try to meet the coaches' expectations as best they can [Editor's note: as a reminder, the staff is now composed of Didier Casadéi, manager, Bertrand Brugeille, forwards and defense coaches, Julien Le Devedec, lineout coach, Jean-Baptiste Péjoine, back-to-back coach, Mathieu Thouron, video analyst, Stéphane Polly and Jérémy Bourguet, fitness coaches].

The CAP will then do a two-day training camp in the Lot before the first friendly match.