Nothing like a change of air to clear your head. After receiving a blow Sunday evening in Biarritz, the Stade Rochelais players are in trouble. If the sporting situation is far from being irreversible, the lack of results in the championship and the quality of the game offered leaves you wondering.
La Rochelle is no longer in the Top 6 and the arrival of Clermont in two weeks in Deflandre is to be classified in red on the calendar of appointments not to be missed. On pain of bringing to light a crisis that is already brewing behind the scenes.
After the victory against Italy on Sunday at the opening of the Tournament, Atonio, Alldritt and Danty were able to watch helplessly in front of their screens the snub suffered in the Basque Country. In the aftermath of this new disillusion after the setback against Montpellier, several French internationals were able to escape the disaster by joining the base camp of the XV of France in Marcoussis on Monday.
Priso to Marcoussis
It was expected for four of them, invited to return to their club last week. As provided for by the FFR-LNR agreements, Jules Favre, Thomas Lavault, Paul Boudehent and Brice Dulin are logically part of the 14 players recalled by the French coaching staff to prepare for the Irish clash.
An eighth from La Rochelle in the France group. This is the pillar Dany Priso, which benefits from a happy combination of circumstances. Montpellier’s Mohamed Haouas being absent from the group after his setbacks with the law, the staff of the XV of France had summoned Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 20, on Sunday evening, but the FFR announced on Monday that the young Clermontois tested positive for Covid- 19.
It is therefore Dany Priso, 14 selections, who joins the group of 42 players from the XV of France. The last selection of the La Rochelle pillar dates back to August 2019 against Scotland, a preparation match for the World Cup in Japan.
Danty hit in an ankle
The Blues will face Ireland next Saturday (5:45 p.m.) at the Stade de France. Perhaps a Tournament final before the letter. And it will certainly be with Jonathan Danty. Hit in an ankle in the second half, the injury of the center of La Rochelle requires some treatment, but should not call into question his participation following the Tournament.
The weekend without a match for his teammates who remained in La Rochelle should do the greatest good to treat sores … in the head in particular. Even if the evil is perhaps deeper than it seems.
The 14 players recalled
- Daniel Bibi Biziwu (Clermont)
- Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle)
- Ibrahim Diallo (Racing 92)
- Jules Favre (La Rochelle)
- Thibaud Flament (Toulouse)
- Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle)
- Sekou Macalou (Paris)
- Yoan Tanga (Racing 92)
- Donovan Taofifenua (Racing 92)
- Brice Dulin (La Rochelle)
- Antoine Hastoy (Pau)
- Matthis Lebel (Toulouse)
- Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92)
- Tani Vili (Clermont)