Rugby Union: “We can finish in the top 3”, assures Guillaume Aguilar, manager of RC Nîmes

Vialle, Boissière, Arnaud et les Nîmois vont devoir hausser le ton s’ils veulent terminer sur le podium de la poule 1. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

For RC Nîmes manager Guillaume Aguilar, in a more competitive National 2 championship than ever, his team, currently sixth in group 1 with 42 points, has not said its last word.

While Rennes (53 points) and Orléans (52 points) are leading the way in group 1 of National 2, there is total indecision at all other levels, which could lead to many surprises. This is a refrain heard and repeated since the creation of this championship two seasons ago.

The ranking of group 1 of National 2

“Promoted teams like Orléans or Geneva are really not promoted with large budgets worthy of the higher division. The National 2 is increasingly dense and homogeneous. There are no small teams”, confirms the president of RC Nîmes Steeve Calligaro.

This year, it is truer than ever. Behind the exceptions Rennes and Orléans, who may have already placed an option on the first two places, the race for the qualifying ranks for the final phase is very tight.

Only six points between third and sixth

Only six lengths separate the third (Geneva, 48 points) from the sixth (Nîmes, 42 points). Without forgetting to note that Bédarrides-Châteauneuf-du-Pape follows closely (41 points) and that Rumilly (37 points) and the Stade Métropolitain (36 points) have not yet said goodbye to the top 6, far from it.

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The tightening is general. This Nationale 2 version 2024-2025 offers the delicious feeling that everyone can beat everyone, which recent results show. Or how can we explain that after five defeats in a row at the start of the season (8 in total), Mâcon was able to win largely on its own ground against Vienna (24-0) and even to beat the leader Rennes (25-20) ? The Burgundy club is still bottom of the table (with Dijon's general forfeit), but it is only two points behind the tenth non-relegation place…

Offensive or defensive, all points will count

With nine days to go before the curtain falls on the regular season, to say that the ball is far from over is a gross understatement. Every point will count. And the RCN hopes that it will not regret the offensive bonus point it let slip away against Aubenas Vals, during the last match of 2024 (31-44).

The Gard club is having a mixed season so far. The criticisms that accompany his team, the Nîmes manager Guillaume Aguilar takes them philosophically, even with a touch of humor: “I could talk about it for hours. Despite what you might think, I am open to all discussions, even with the great specialists of social networks… “

“Our first opponent is ourselves!”

“More seriously”, Aguilar admits: “I'm not going to lie, there are times that are more complicated than others. But it is essential to continue working, to learn from each situation, to not repeat the same mistakes. To give all the keys to the players so that they grow individually and that this has an impact on the team.”

The manager of RC Nîmes reminds us: “Succeeding in playing complete rugby takes time.” But he is convinced: “We can finish in the top three. All the more so since we have a real card to play this January with the receptions of Bédarrides-Châteauneuf-du-Pape (on the 11th) and Geneva (on the 25th)“, interspersed with a trip to Mâcon (on the 18th).

The Nîmes technician believes in it even if he knows it only too well: “Our first opponent is ourselves!”

Rest and seriousness to start again strong

The RCN players enjoyed about ten days of rest. They recharged their batteries with their families and enjoyed, in moderation, a few slices of foie gras and other feasts.

The staff had left a form of flexibility, even if the traditional post-workout weigh-in did take place on Thursday, during the first training session of the year. “We trusted the players. Getting to training without having done anything during the holidays is impossible”, explains manager Guillaume Aguilar.

A seriousness that the Nîmois had promised themselves after their victory at Aubenas. Essential to best negotiate the next block of four matches (Bédarrides, Mâcon, Geneva and Rumilly).

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