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As part of their club's 40th anniversary celebrations, the Barracudas will play host to this season's surprise team, RC Goyave, on day 6 of the senior championship.
After a head-and-shoulders victory over the Archiball de Saint-Martin (23-3) in the Iles du Nord derby a fortnight ago, the Barracudas will put their blue "sky" back on to welcome their opponents for the day, RC Goyave, the surprise 4th-placed team in the league. Despite the festivities that began earlier in the day, the Barracudas will need to stay focused on this match. As Barras coach Romain Viriato reminds us: "We're preparing in the best possible way to perform well in front of our fans. Up front, we have some certainties, but we know we can do a lot better at the back. If we put the right ingredients into the match, we should develop some good rugby... And as it's the club's 40th anniversary, it's going to be a great party, so it's up to us not to spoil it! "
Opposite them, the Goyaviens won't be making the trip for nothing. The team, coached by Remi Jacquet, is off to the best start to the season in its history, and the "Racoons" are determined to give the locals a run for their money, as their experienced 3rd row Xavier Mellion explains: "Travelling to Saint-Barth is always difficult. The intensity on the pitch combined with the hot Saint-Jean crowd are always factors to be taken into account... but we're sure of what we want to do, in terms of our game and our desire. We saw the Barracudas play in Les Abymes, and despite their defeat there, they're still a fine team. We're taking it one game at a time, and Saturday's game is a new challenge. "
Concentration and diligence will be required to overcome these improving opponents. Romain Viriato warns his team: "They're not the same Goyave team they were 3 or 4 years ago, losing by more than 30 points. They've got good players, and the new recruits have given them an edge, as evidenced by the fact that they beat our neighbors the Archiballs at home. The fact that they are now inviting themselves to the top table is a plus for the championship and for Guadeloupe rugby as a whole. We've been warned, they're not going to let up. "Finally, remember what's at stake in this match: a win for the Barracudas would propel them into second place in the championship, while a win for their opponents, RC Goyave, would enable them to pick up a few precious points in the race for the play-offs. To find out the outcome of this Barracuda - RC Goyave match, go to the Stade de Saint-Jean on Saturday at 7pm.
