Mignoni believes Challenge Cup win is key to Lyon’s growth

May 27, 2022
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Ultimate Rugby

Director of rugby Pierre Mignoni believes that securing the EPCR Challenge Cup title would be a huge boost to Lyon’s development as a team.

Lyon face RC Toulon in Marseille tomorrow after reaching a European final for the first time in their history, and Mignoni wants his side to go one step further.

“A victory would validate a lot of work for several years,” he said. “A title is important in the construction of a club. This final has real value. It would be great for the future.

“This would allow players to become even more aware of their potential. I often tell them that we are capable of doing incredible things. This is what we will have to do on Friday night.”

Mignoni hailed the Stade Vélodrome as a fitting venue for the showdown and urged his players to soak up the atmosphere at the game.

The road to Marseille 🏆@LeLOURugby have been tearing it up on the way to the Final 🔥#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/NYN6otOWnM
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) May 24, 2022

“The Velodrome is a fabulous stadium,” he said. “This final a party. We just need the players to be happy to participate in this event. But not only [this]. We will have to act from the kick-off and not ask ourselves ten thousand questions.”

Lyon fell to defeats in both TOP 14 games against Toulon this season, with the latter a 43-10 thrashing, but Mignoni insists his players have learnt from that loss and moved on.

“The last confrontation was not at all to our advantage,” he said. “We didn’t recognize each other too much. Accidents happen. It is a thing of the past. This match hurt us, but also did us good for the future.

“We have a lot of experienced boys who are there to take the pressure. But it’s a positive pressure to play this kind of game.

“A final is 50/50. What is certain is that we will have to start this game well, be present from the kick-off and keep the confidence we have had throughout this season.”