Deprived of its French internationals Atonio, Bourgarit, Alldritt and Tanga in full preparation for the autumn tour with the XV of France, and Jonathan Danty, future dad, Stade Rochelais will still be the big favorite in their confrontation with Section Paloise this Saturday (5 p.m.) at the Marcel-Deflandre stadium. If the Maritimes have lost their place of dolphins after another defeat against the Toulouse rival, they have the possibility of taking 2nd place at the Stade Français on the trip to Montpellier at the same time.
The only team to have brought down Stade Toulousain, Pau has just had five consecutive defeats in the league. The result is a worrying penultimate place in the standings. They still remain on a “very encouraging” setback in Lyon (31 to 27) with a precious defensive bonus point brought back from the Rhône.
On the infirmary side, Romain Sazy rib injury is forfeited, but there is a lot of good news. Starting with the return of Matthias Haddad, recovered from knee surgery this summer. He will be in the squad to face Pau. Just like the South African third line Kyle Hatherell, arrived from the Worcester Warriors, as an additional player. Finally, the Fijian Levani Botia and the Samoan Ulupano Seuteni left their selection, just long enough to play this Top 14 match.
It’s going to be a special moment, but we’ll enjoy it before and after the game – Quentin Lespiaucq
This match will have a particular taste for two La Rochelle recruits: the fly-half Antoine Hastoy, trained in Pau, and hooker Quentin Lespiaucqwho wore the Béarnais jersey for seven seasons. “It’s a page in my career that turned not long ago… It’s going to be a special moment, but we’ll enjoy it before and after the game.”
In the absence of Pierre Bourgarit retained at Marcoussis and Samuel Lagrange, victim of a spectacular knockout at Ernest-Wallon, Quentin Lespiaucq will gain playing time on Saturday afternoon and he intends to take advantage of it against his former teammates. “If I have to last 80 minutes, I’ll play them, I’ll grit my teeth, I feel good physically, I’ll make sure I’m the best I can be and make winning even easier for everyone”.
© Radio France
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Eric LeBihan
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Everything was fine and five days later, you find yourself with both ligaments redone – Thomas Lavault
In the radius of positive news, the smile displayed by Thomas Lavault during the pre-match press briefing. Operated on his ankle just after the Blues’ summer tour of Japan, the second line from La Rochelle thought he was drooling for four months. Finally, he only had to wait three months before returning to competition. “I spent part of the season under infiltration…I came back from Japan on Sunday, on Tuesday, the surgeon did the tests and told me that my ankle was really not beautiful. On Friday, I had surgery. It put me on a bit of a halt. Everything was fine and five days later, you find yourself with both ligaments redone…”
Before moving on to billiards, Thomas Lavault therefore had his first two selections with the XV of France in Japan. A big pride. Three months later, here he is again able to tread the grounds of Top 14. Lavault played half an hour in Toulouse. Saddened by the result but reassured for his ankle. He intends to continue his rise to power on Saturday against Pau before moving on to Brive. Two teams in the fight for maintenance, but above all not to be underestimated. “These are two big teams. Pau is playing a big game in Lyon and is on the verge of winning. It is a team that feeds on turnovers, which does not necessarily like to keep the ball, you have to stay on your guard. ”
© Radio France
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Eric LeBihan
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Stade Rochelais / Section Paloise, a match to watch in full at 5 p.m. on France Blue La Rochelle
with Gérald Paris and Didier Morin on commentary.
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