A number symbolizes the challenge that awaits the Clermont this Saturday in Bordeaux: 227. This is the number of points registered by the UBB since the start of the season, 28.3 points per game. Bordeaux have the best attack in the Top 14 (7 points more than Toulouse) with in particular 26 registered tries. And the fourth defense of the championship (154 points conceded), which explains their good second place today. Christophe Urios’ team is the only one able to keep pace with Stade Toulousain and made the hole on his pursuers: 6 points ahead of the LOU, the third.
ASM is 10 points behind its weekend opponent but the team seems on the right track. In any case if we “evacuate” the porridge of the first half against Pau last Saturday. A “first half that does not exist. I do not know who was in the yellow jerseys” jokes Jono Gibbes. The Clermont coach prefers to focus on the second half of his players, more in line with what he expects from his XV. He also retains the performances in Montpellier or against Racing to feel that his team is making progress.
Nevertheless, the ASM still sometimes remains on alternating current. The next step is now to have a whole high intensity encounter. Why not in Bordeaux? It will also be necessary to get a result. Even deprived of Matthieu Jalibert, their opener retained in the France team (as well as Cameron Woki, Maxime Lucu and Yoram Moefana), the Bordeaux residents remain a formidable collective. Moreover Christophe Urios, in his inimitable style, recalls it “we are not going to complain. We know that there will not be Matthieu so we need to raise our level so that the collective is even stronger “
A forwards match?
The Clermont will also have to do without their opener since Camille Lopez will be unavailable until the international break. Damian Penaud is also in Blue, an absence to which is added that of Alivereti Raka, injured in the arm. A big lack on the ASM side as the two wingers made sparks last Saturday. Raka who is also the second best test scorer in the Top 14 with five tries.
Not sure anyway that this meeting is a match for wingers. It should rain a lot this Saturday in Bordeaux, may be later in the game but the lawn will probably be quite wet. What to give a little more work to the fronts for a conquest that will be essential. The second new line, Vahaamahina – Lavanini, should do good, just like the 3rd line, very solid. Enough to go to Gironde with ambitions.
UBB – ASM is a meeting to be experienced live on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne, like all ASM matches. The Rugby Club starts at 8:45 p.m. this Saturday.