Christophe Urios, the head coach of ASM Clermont Auvergne, is known for his hands-on approach to coaching and his commitment to cultivating talent. Always seen in shorts, regardless of the occasion, he guides his team from the sidelines, whether during training sessions or fan engagements. Recently, he led his team to a convincing victory against Treviso, securing their first match of the Champions Cup with a score of 28-0. Despite this success, Urios was candid about his dissatisfaction with the team's level of engagement during the game, expressing, "Il s’est emmerdé," as he found their enthusiasm lacking.
The coach is well aware of the importance of maximizing his players' potential, especially with the upcoming fixture against Leinster on December 14, which will be held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. He acknowledged the duel with Leinster as both thrilling and intimidating, saying it inspires "excitation" and "trouille" at the same time. Nevertheless, Urios remains unfazed and believes his team can ride the current wave of momentum, confident they can face the competition head-on, even if it means taking some tough lessons along the way.
A significant addition to the roster has been Lucas Tauzin, who made the leap from Stade Toulousain to Clermont last summer. Urios spoke about the challenge players face when leaving Toulouse, noting, "Ce n’est jamais facile pour un joueur imprégné de la culture de la gagne de ce club d’en partir." This sentiment reveals the deep-rooted culture of winning and expectation at Toulouse. Despite this hurdle, Urios valued Tauzin’s physical potential and felt his skill set made him an interesting addition to the team.
During their initial meetings, Urios set two primary challenges for Tauzin: to bring with him the winning mentality from Toulouse and to integrate smoothly with the new team dynamics. The coach described Tauzin's early demeanor as "assez froid," indicating the player's initial reticence. Yet, with time, Tauzin has started to flourish, becoming part of the group and contributing to the team's dynamics. "Aujourd’hui, il est dans cette démarche," adde-uri French phrase giving affirmation to Tauzin's progress.
Interestingly, Urios has been strategically aligning Tauzin's position more frequently at wing rather than center. Although he's capable of playing both roles, Urios noted, "Avec nous, il a joué centre, ailier mais aujourd’hui, il est plus performant sur l’aile par rapport à ce que l’on veut faire." This decision reflects Urios's insights on maximizing player strengths and adjusting tactics according to the overarching playing style the team is developing.
Urios elaborated on how the team is progressing toward implementing strategies emphasizing connectivity and dynamic play styles. He pointed out, "On sent cette éducation. Notamment sur le jeu debout," highlighting the developmental focus on maintaining sharp, strategic practice sessions. Although the players are not yet at the level where these connections are fully realized, the effort to adapt to this style of play signifies the evolutionary path the team is undertaking under Urios's guidance.
Despite Urios feeling the pressure with significant matches approaching, his optimism shines through as he steers Clermont toward improvement and competitive excellence. With his unique coaching style and strategic insight, he aims not just to prepare the team for their next match but to secure their place as formidable competitors on the European stage. His commitment to player development and fostering a winning culture remains steadfast, allowing for growth both on and off the field.