UBB – Scapular Rugby – Rémi Lamerat: “I find him remarkable in defense”

Asked by
Rugby Ramaour opening half
Matthew Jalibert returned to the repositioning of
Damian Penaud at the center position, following the injury of
Nicolas Depoortere. According to him, the French international adapted very naturally and easily to this change of role thanks to his understanding of the game and his situational intelligence. Matthew Jalibert
underlines in particular the serenity with which Damian Penaud integrated the requirements of this position within the Bordeaux system, showing his confidence before the Champions Cup final:

“I think it wasn’t very complicated for him to adapt and fit into our system in this position. I find it quite serene and quite easy. He is a player who has great situational intelligence on the pitch and who understands rugby well. I find him rather comfortable and I hope he will be on Saturday…

He is joined on this point by our former three-quarter center
Rémi Lameratwho insisted on defending the defensive qualities of Damian Penaudsometimes unfairly called into question during his career. For Rémi Lamerathis athletic qualities, his speed and his reading of the game make him a much more efficient defender than is generally thought, particularly in the demands of modern rugby at the second center position:

“I find him remarkable in defense. Many of his ‘detractors’ found that in defense it was average. I always found him a very good defender. A second center who does not have canes cannot defend well in this modern rugby.
Damian is well off in that regard. It’s true that many thought that he had been moved to the wing due to his possible shortcomings in defense, when not at all…