MHR hooker Gilhem Guardo, 35, was arrested in mid-December by Covid-19. He will face Leinster this Sunday, January 16 (2pm) as part of the third day of the European Cup.
The first rule after September against Leinster, not to choose, you have to be ready …
Now that I’m about to start my season, I’m happy. Even if we are going to play one of the best teams in Europe. Later, we also learned that they would be out of tune as they have played less recently (their last match is from December 11, with a 45-20 win over Bath). That would be a big test. We want to see better. With this victory on the green carpet we know the adventure of the first quarter. It made people uncomfortable because it was not very “sporty”. We are all disappointed not to have played recently, in the midst of all this we have to bring rugby back and look forward to Sunday.
Are matches against Leinster always special?
Playing against them is always fun. This is a very polished rugby team with very few bugs in their system. They stopped when they pressed the button and the referee blew the whistle. It is up to us to unite. We know where we put the matches. When you play in the European Cup, the level closest to the international level. We’ve going to play three-quarters of the Irish team, it’s going to be quite an experiment.
These are the equivalent of six months of training …
It can be said that these are the matches that mark you in life. Rhythm, competition … everything is different. It allows us to change something and raise our status.
What do you think about this competition format?
This is a course and a short and intensive project. There are four matches to qualify. This format, we do not know it completely (because of Kovid). Last year, he was upset during the season. This year too. So we do not know how it actually works.
I admit I liked the old format with four teams in the pool.
I want to extend my career in order to play to the fullest
Most?
The exciting thing is these 8E Last round trip. In football, we have seen the possible setbacks. In rugby, it can be fun. In this sport, playing at home surpasses us. I want to extend my career in order to play to the fullest. That’s why we absolutely deserve to (smile).
You caught Covid, how do you feel?
What? Even after being locked up for ten days, I still enjoyed the old protocol with the bell ringing. More seriously, I’m in good health, and I’m never polluted anyone around me.
At least no further testing now …
That’s good news … after a year and a half of testing, it’s very nice not to blow your nose. I think we are not far from the record of the most tested people. But it is for the good of the community and the people around us, that is the important thing.
Travel fan. Freelance analyst. Proud problem solver. Infuriatingly humble zombie junkie.