Top 14: "We were fed up with spending three months eating our black bread," confesses Thomas Lavault from La Rochelle

Thomas Lavault: "Beyond the fact that we worked hard and expended energy, we had fun. Sometimes, having fun means doing tasks that are a little less enjoyable, but which, in the end, are just as rewarding. I think we'll have to do even more against Vannes. Because the context is completely different. Bordeaux were preparing for their semi-final (of the Champions Cup against Toulouse) , so their minds were elsewhere. This is a totally different context. Vannes are aware that there is another matchday to be played with two direct competitors for them (Perpignan and Stade Français facing each other, editor's note), so they can move up a place in the standings. Their objective is clear, and their motivation will be evident."

"They're not the first team that Vannes has caused problems for. We were the first (Vannes' victory at Marcel-Delfandre 14-23 at the end of November, Editor's note) . They're strong in winning the game and they're a very competitive team. They also scored 29-0 in Bordeaux in the first half. We're aware of the team that's coming. In all the matches they've played at home, all the clubs went there to win with their strong team. So respect to them, because they've put in some very good performances."

We must be aware that we are a team that can take 40 points from Vannes, if we don't put the ingredients together

Thomas Lavault

"It hurt, we were caught out on our strengths. We didn't need to say it to each other this week, we all remember what happened at Deflandre and we're determined to give it our all this weekend."

"We really felt a collective osmosis. We didn't necessarily need to talk to each other, the energy was quite infectious. And everyone was on the same wavelength, it was quite pleasant. We found it again this week, we're doing well in training. There were obviously things that weren't going well and that we redid in training, but I feel good about us. We were fed up with spending three months eating our black bread. I like what Greg ( Alldritt ) often says: we're the same team that lost for three months and the same team that won in Bordeaux. We have to know where we come from and what we're capable of. We know all that. We also have to be aware that we're a team that can take 40 points in Vannes if we don't put the ingredients together. On the other hand, if we're ready, we know what we're capable of doing."

If you win, your destiny is clearly in your hands. If you lose, it's... a little shittier.

Thomas Lavault

"If you win, you clearly have your destiny in your hands. You control a little more. If you lose, it's... a little more shitty. (...) For me, there's no problem, we're all pretty good. We have a group that doesn't change much but that has worked well and is in good shape. Even if this group is going to change, some guys are ready behind. I'm not worried about that. There's a big expenditure of energy, but we tell ourselves that these are two-match blocks. And we've done worse before. We mustn't waste what's in front of us, because we have our destiny in our hands."

"It's definitely moving fast. Afterwards, we've always been aware of our strengths. We knew what we were capable of. Afterwards, it's true that if you played Bordeaux two months ago, you might not have won all the balls because they fell the wrong way. Here, it was the opposite. So we made sure to come back and get back on track a bit. It's up to us to continue like this..."

Comments collected at a press conference