We're not running scared of Toulouse

Clermont coach Franck Azema insisted that his team were not running scared of Toulouse ahead of the two giants' semi-final play-off on Saturday.

Azema has had his team holed up for a pre-match training camp far from the madding crowds.

"We simply wanted to spend some quality time together," he said.

"It's a way to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, to come together before a big match."

Azema added: "There's no desire to run away. All year long you train to play a play-off match so I don't see how we'd be scared of what's coming."

There had been nothing special about the camp Azema said.

"It's living together, but also the chance to revisit little details, optimise physical conditions and to eat well," said Azema, who took over Clermont after New Zealander Vern Cotter moved to Scotland.

"People said we went off to hide to get rid of the European Cup final but that's not the case," he said in reference to their defeat by Toulon in European club rugby's premier tournament.

Turning to Toulouse, Azema insisted that his Clermont players knew they would be up against it.

"You know that Toulouse are capable of putting in regular performances, of making it through in big moments," he said.

"They had some matches at home this season which they might have lost but they were able to win through, that's their strength.

"I remember when we'd all written them off, even talking about relegation when they were 13th.

"But they're experienced. There's a very good reason they regularly make the play-offs. We're not surprised."

The clash was one to whet the appetite Azema admitted, with defending champions Toulon taking on Stade Francais in the first semi-final on Friday.

"All year long you've got your back up against the wall. The Top 14 is ferocious and there's not a match when you can ease up on the pressure. Physically it's exhausting, mentally very tough.

"Naturally, when you get to the pudding it's mouth-watering. It's exciting when you arrive at a new stadium, the atmosphere as well. If we are capable of doing our job tomorrow (Saturday) we will find ourselves at the Stade de France where we have not been since 2010."

Clermont, however, will be without Canada lock Jamie Cudmore, the enforcer bringing a premature end to his season after a second knock to his head in a month.

"He took a bang at Monday's training and as he'd already been knocked out in the European Cup final (at the start of May), that's twice," Azema said.

"We'll respect the protocols," the coach said, adding that he was "sure" the second-row forward would not be available in time for a potential final on June 13.
Source: AFP