Cudmore : "I am guilty but..."

Clermont Lock Jamie Cudmore, banned in Perpignan last weekend, goes back over the facts having caused the ire of referee Christophe Berdos , and tells us in all sincerity this 65 th minute before focusing on the encounter with Bayonne next Saturday.

What did you think of the performance of your team towards Clermont?

Jamie Cudmore: To be quite honest, it was rather disappointing on the whole. We returned much foot played or knock on balls. They shooted off and we have run after them for more than a hour . It was almost an impossible task we were assigned. We made a very average performance and it is necessary for us to bounce above the situation from Saturday facing Bayonne. But I trust we’re able to get ourselves out of trouble.

Why were you spelt on the sidelines by Christophe Berdos at the 65e minute of play ?

J.C.: I made a late tackle then I clashed with the Catalans. I feel guilty but Robins Tchale-Watchou and Jean-Pierre Perez would feel it too. When they attack me following the tackle , I only defended myself , and nothing more. I even feel really that both parties are equally to blame . But the referee decided otherwise .… Never mind

Did you feel you went too far ?

J.C.: Rugby is a sport of contact, an aggressive sport. It is necessary to be worthy of the pressure that it generates. I tried to be the most aggressive I could. Did I exceed the limits? It isn’t up to me to say it.

Do you think the sanction is somewhat severe ?

J.C.: I don’t want to dispute the decision of Christophe Berdos. But I saw on the pitch things quite worse than this tackle : gougings, kicks and blows of knee which did not even lead to a yellow card. Personally, I know when I screw around. But there, I am puzzled…

Clermont is to clash with Bayonne this weekend. What is your forecast?

J.C.: Difficult to say… Bayonne is really a very beautiful team. They have improved a lot for two years. Their defensive qualities give them excellent opportunities on counter attacks. It will be compulsory for us to be wary.