Toulon have always had superstars, to compete against them on a big stage is really special...
TIGERS STAR WELLS LOOKS AHEAD TO WEEKEND’S EURO CLASH
LEICESTER Tigers players learned of the cancellation of their European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Castres during their team run.
The day before Sunday’s visit of Castres to Welford Road, the 23-man squad and travelling reserves were at the stadium limbering up to iron out any final creases ahead of tackling the Top 14 side.
But following the news that three players and one member of Castres staff had tested positive for coronavirus, the announcement was made on Saturday that the match had been cancelled and Tigers progressed to the semi-finals as a consequence.
“We were at the team run, we were just warmed up and we were ready to get started and then Steve [Borthwick] called us in,” said Harry Wells, who was selected to play on the blindside flank against Castres.
“He said unfortunately the game had been cancelled.
“It was really disappointing because the boys were really fired up. We were ready to go the next day, we were really focused.”
He added: “We were in a great spot. We had a great week’s training. We were really focused. Mentally really prepared, bodies fuelled ready to go.
“It would’ve been a real shame to waste that opportunity so we got in a really good session, we got in a lot of skill work, a lot of fitness and got some decent reps in.
“The boys really upped the session. We kind of took it as another opportunity to get better.”
The playing squad were given Sunday off before returning to their Oadby-based training ground on Monday as the focus switched to the semi-final in Toulon on Saturday.
With a place in a European final now just 80 minutes away, Wells admitted it wasn’t just like any other game for him and his team-mates.
“I think it’s more difficult not to get slightly more aroused by the prospect of a semi-final,” said Wells, who turns 27 next week.
“I think it would be unnatural to do so. You do realise it’s more pressure, we are one game away from a final, so that does sit in the back of your mind so you are going to be a lot more up for those kind of games.”
He added: “When it’s knockout rugby you only get one chance.
“You’re in a lot more high pressure situations, where every decision can affect the game massively.
“So discipline was really hammered home during training. That was highlighted quite often. The responsibility of each individual player was really emphasised.”
Tigers, a club embarking upon their own rebuilding project, face another team navigating their way through a period of transition in Toulon. They were a dominant force in the first half of the last decade winning a hat-trick of Heineken Cups between 2013 and 2015, as well as a Top 14 title in 2014.
They also reached the final of the Challenge Cup in both 2010 and 2012.
But since finishing as Top 14 runners-up in 2017 and with a series of big-name players moving on, they have finished fourth (2017/18), ninth (2018/19) and were fourth when the 2019/20 season was cancelled due to coronavirus.
They progressed to the semi-final stage of the Challenge Cup courtesy of an 11-6 victory over Scarlets, with their only try coming from 143-times capped Italian forward, 37-year-old Sergio Parrise.
“They’ve always had superstars, playing against players of that calibre is something you dream about as a kid,” said Wells. “The opportunity to do that on a big stage is really special. They’re exceptionally successful in Europe. I think they’ve won three European Cups not too long ago.
“They’re going to have a big pack, they’re going to be a French team so naturally they’ll be throwing the ball and playing heads up rugby which is always a challenge. It’s going to be an enjoyable experience. Playing away games in Europe, there’s nothing you can really compare it to.”