Marion ready for Olympique’s Batley battle

Toulouse utility player Anthony Marion is looking forward to beginning the club’s Championship campaign in 2017 against Batley Bulldogs.

TO welcome Batley to the Stade Ernest Argeles de Blagnac this Saturday, and Marion is wary of last season’s surprise package.

“Batley are a big team, who finished third last season, and therefore came up against the Super League teams in the second phase.

“They’re a solid team that will want to do that at least again this season, making them one of our direct competitors.

“We will study their strengths and weaknesses, but it is mainly on our game that we want to focus. We know that if we play to our capabilities, we can challenge anyone.

“We have six championship games in a row before we enter the Challenge Cup, this first block is going to be very important.

“So we have to have start with confidence, and there is nothing better than beating a direct competitor at home, especially since we do not have room to lose points at home.”

Marion looks likely to play at hooker against the Bulldogs, just as he did in the friendly victory over Catalans Dragons earlier this month.

“This is a position that suits me, where there is a lot of responsibility, and I like it,” he said.

“Against the Dragons, it was only my fifth game in this position, I still lack benchmarks and experience, but I work hard to improve and to bring my best to the team in this position, and will do this Saturday.”