After five consecutive wins in the Top 14, the Union Bordeaux Bègles starts this Saturday, October 29 a sequence against the top names of the championship. It starts with the reception at the Chaban Delmas stadium of ASM Clermont, without several of its internationals, selected for selection. Christophe Urios made eight changes. Tongan UJ Seuteni was chosen as the opener to compensate for the absence of Matthieu Jalibert. Rémi Lamerat (3/4 center) and Clément Maynadier (hooker) are also back in the starting XV.
Deprived of its titular hinge Lucu-Jalibert, Yann Lesgourgues (author of two trials against Perpignan) and UJ Seuteni take over. Back in the starting XV also from Remi Lamerat, at the Center station. The former Clermont will be associated with Jean-Baptiste Dubié to bring experience to this revamped team: “I had a few ants in my legs, I’m happy to be able to play again. I’m not going to be the leader of the back lines, it’s more the role of JB (Dubié, Editor’s note), but I will have a role with UJ (Seuteni) for communication or on certain strategic choices if he has to focus on the shot.“
Mori and Buros on the bench
On the other hand, Guido Petti and Santiago Cordero, although selected with Argentina, will be aligned from the start. They will join the Pumas after the match against Clermont this Saturday evening. The same goes for Ben Tameifuna with Tonga. At last, Federico mori (Italy), Romain Buros and Thierry paiva (France) were released by their selections. The first two will be on the bench against ASM, the last is not in the group.
There are players who will have to reveal themselves, take out the pecs – Christophe Urios
Even without several of its incumbents, this UBB team looks great, “the staff and the president have done what is necessary to compensate for these departures. The bank depth of the UBB makes it possible to overcome these difficulties“, analyzes Rémi Lamerat. His captain, Mahamadou Diaby even considers that this series of meetings should allow the group to come together even more: “it isis a good opportunity to show that everyone can do well and that the team is stronger than individuals. This kind of situation is good to show the character of a team.” And Christophe Urios also expects a lot. “We will measure the depth of our workforce and we will see if the players take over behind. That’s what’s important. There are players who will have to reveal themselves, take out the pecs“, details the Héraultais.
Clermont on good momentum
Faced with the Auvergne, the Union, runner-up to Toulouse, therefore starts its marathon. After ASM, it will be direction La Rochelle just before the international break. “This is when we will see more clearly “, indicated Christophe Urios, the Girondin manager. “We knew that in this period of September-October, we had to take points, which we did even if we left some on the way. Without offending our opponents who came to Chaban, Clermont is a real challenge“, continues the former hooker. Then, the UBB, will rub shoulders with Racing 92 on November 28 and Toulouse on December 4.
Clermont, 7th, a badly started his championship with two inaugural defeats in Lyon and against Castres. “Like us against Biarritz, they were surprised in the engagement. But since they have recovered well, they are on a good dynamic, it will be a step above“, warns, Mahamadou Diaby. ASM remains on two consecutive victories, in Montpellier (20-22) and against Pau (42-20). In the last five encounters, UBB has won four times (including victory in the finals in June), for only one draw.