It is a third consecutive reception which is announced this Sunday evening (9:05 p.m.) for ASM Clermont, with the visit of the championship leader, Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
A fragile leader in recent weeks and who remains on a series of four straight defeats far from his usual standards. The Girondins could also lose the lead in the standings in the event of defeat at the Marcel-Michelin Sports Park.
Once again, Clermont will count on the revival of its closed scrum, impressive last week against Lyon, to make the difference. For the occasion, the New Zealand coach Jono Gibbes should largely renew his confidence in the players who have performed well in recent weeks.
Playing together regularly allows us to develop automatisms. we feel a real form of serenity for a few weeks in the closed scrum sector – Rabah Slimani
In the front row, the Falgoux-Fourcade-Slimani triplet will try to bring the whole team in its wake. For the right pillar, Rabah Slimanithis continuity pays off: “The fact of playing together regularly allows us to develop automatisms. we have felt a real form of serenity for a few weeks in the closed scrum sector and we work a lot in training so that each player progresses. From then on, little whoever plays on Sunday, the important thing is that we don’t see a difference in our performance.”
At the heart of the Auvergne pack, few changes are expected. Judicaël Cancoriet should find a place of holder, since Killian Tixeront was left at the disposal of the team of France of less than 20 years. Alexander Fisherback after a concussion protocol will return to the group, as will Thibaud Lanenrecovered from his shoulder injury.
This late meeting of the 17th day of Top 14 (initially scheduled for the weekend of February 5) can be followed on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne from 8:45 p.m., in the Rugby Club of Yann Méraki, then live and in full on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne from 9:05 p.m., with comments by Julien Oury and David Bory.