Rugby: Gérald Le Strat's US Seynoise starts its National 2 season this Saturday at home

Gérald Le Strat took the time to discuss the challenge facing the Union Sportive Seynoise first team, over which he has had full powers for the past two years. The 35-year-old manager, who signed his first contract with the club in 1995 (at the same time as Sonny Falconetti, the back-to-back coach), is well aware of the difficulties his team faces. He is confident and clear-sighted about the group's ability to rise to the challenge.

How do you judge these two months of preparation?

The rest period after the finals in June was short. We felt mental fatigue among some players when they resumed training. But when we switched to the preparation matches, it started to return. We feel more excitement and desire. Regarding the quality of the work provided and the commitment, there is nothing to complain about. We started with 60 players and ended with 35. It's important to involve the youngest players in the project. Recently, everyone has seen how valuable our talent pool is. If we are in Nationale 2 today, the quality of our training and the trust placed in the youngsters have a lot to do with it.

After the two friendlies against Berre and La Valette, what are the main areas for improvement?

We need to improve our ability to hold the ball. We were deficient in our post-crossing play, which led to a lack of efficiency in our scoring ability. We got rid of the ball too quickly. In the conquest, we alternated between hot and cold. We'll know more after the Aubenas match.

Given the schedule, will the matches against Aubenas and Tricastin in September be crucial for the rest of the competition?

A season is played over 22 matches. It's a long time. The goal is to be ^10th out of 12. Afterwards, it's always important to start a season well, especially for the team's confidence. But it's especially important to draw the right conclusions from these matches. You can win them when you're bad. And lose them when you're good, but because you just came up against a much stronger team. Afterwards, the intrinsic results are still important because, when you start losing at home, you open a door to your future opponents and they'll want to rush in. So it would be good to close all attempts as soon as possible.

Are you satisfied with the recruitment?

Of the dozen new arrivals, they already show the guarantees that I hoped for, humanly, in their behavior and their work attitude. We have to see how the guys reveal themselves during the competition. I don't have many doubts about that. Except that it's on the high-stakes matches that we can truly evaluate them. I remind you that the recruitment was done before the promotion. In Fédérale 1, we would have had the same players. This recruitment was carried out according to our finances ⁽¹⁾ , our needs, the players' state of mind and the club's project. That's why 80% of the recruits are players trained in the Var.

Wouldn't you have liked to have two or three additional reinforcements in certain positions, such as the second row?

It all depends on where you position the cursor. If we want to be National 2 champions, then obviously we would have needed more players. And the budget that goes with it (laughs) . But, to play for survival, which is our main objective, I am satisfied.

Aren't you afraid that your team lacks physical density?

I have no fears. We can have fears because we know we'll be facing more robust teams, knowing that half of the opposing clubs are structured with professional squads. I remind you that, on our side, all the players are multi-active. But, in a single match, I remain convinced that we can beat everyone. Afterwards, in the long run, it's different. We will have to manage the fatigue and physical state of the guys well.

A word about your staff and the arrival of Virgile Bruni as forwards coach?

Virgile and I have known each other for a very long time. We were French Reichel champions with the RCT and our friendship has always lasted. In addition to having complete confidence in him, he is a guy who has experienced the highest level in the Top 14. He brought new expertise, an overflowing desire and a breath of fresh air that was much needed.

We also have Sébastien Bruno, a hooker with 26 caps and in charge of the French team's scrum under Jacques Brunel. He comes to take care of our scrum once a week and joins us for home matches. It's obviously an extraordinary added value to have him among us.

David Douy, who knows the club well, has joined us as a fitness coach alongside Arnaud Perrard. A great duo.

I won't forget Sonny Falconetti, in charge of the three-quarters, and Didier Driff, who will come to support us in training sessions but who is now in charge of the CEL (certified training center) to ensure the link between the first and the training. We also have a mental coach and a medical staff who are committed 120%.

What would a successful season be?

It will be successful as long as we have no regrets at the end. If we are to be beaten, let it be by a team better than us, but let us emerge victorious from the teams we are meant to beat. I don't know what level that will take us to. But let's not have any regrets about a possible qualification or relegation. If we manage to generate the same enthusiasm among our supporters as last season, especially at Marquet where we remain undefeated in fourteen matches, that will also be a real success.

1. With 1.3 million euros, USS has the smallest budget in the group.