Rugby, Federal 3: Draguignan, the desire to look a little higher

Second in the regular season, behind Corbières XV (and qualified for the final phase), Rugby Club Draguignan can fully be satisfied with its performance. And this even if the representatives of the city of the Dragon missed their last outing, against Montélimar in the ^32nd final return leg at home.

However, it wasn't a foregone conclusion for RCD, which was not in a good place at the start of the season, with major financial worries. But, ultimately, thanks in particular to the work of the new management team around Christophe Zingraff, things quickly took off.

"The club is in good health"

Enough to put a smile on the president's face, satisfied with his first year at the helm of the club: "It's been a very good season! Few people would have bet a dime on us at the start of the season, but we've kept our heads above water. And we can say today that the club is in good health, even if we're all well aware that there's still a lot of work to do." He added: "In any case, this season has been intense, demanding but above all deeply human. I'm lucky to be surrounded by an exceptional team of managers and volunteers, invested on a daily basis, discreet but indispensable. Of course, our journey hasn't ended as we would have liked, but it strengthens us. We are a close-knit family, a club that's moving forward."

Pending possible sanctions after the ^32nd final

It remains to be seen what the official outcome of the FFR disciplinary committee will be, which will decide on the sanctions relating to the match abandoned during the ^32nd return leg against Montélimar (0-25, four red cards). "It is certain that the red cards will have to be taken into account at the start of next season. Now, there has been no excess off the pitch ," explained Christophe Zingraff. A financial sanction is certainly possible but, at the time of speaking, we have no feedback."

In the meantime, Rugby Club Draguignan is already preparing for next season, with ambitions to do at least as well, if not better, in the words of its president: "We had a great run, with a squad that couldn't be more accurate. We haven't been spared injuries, and mainly a massacre at the level of the third lines. We will focus on strengthening the group. We are working seriously on it while trusting our young people who have done the work."

The staff renewed

In any case, the coaching duo of Nicolas Konné and Salim Barhoumi has been retained. However, Montoya and Piquet have been made redundant. Mathieu Ortis, meanwhile, is leaving for professional reasons.

The squad will retain its core but should expand quickly with arrivals "in key positions" , as Nicolas Konné points out.

Training is scheduled to resume on August ^1st at Léo-Lagrange. Two friendly matches (to be determined) will follow, as well as a team-building camp on August 30th.

In any case, all the lights remain green (the color of all hopes) for the future of the Dracénois club.