Which team to face Clermont on Saturday? Above all, on what staff will the USAP be able to rely to prepare this reception which will be followed by a trip to Montpellier?
In fact, the Catalan squad may never have been so full since the start of the season. It remains to be seen when everyone can join the group, “it will be dropper“, comments coach Patrick Arlettaz. And it remains to be seen whether all the selected players will return without a physical problem.
Yes, Melvyn Jaminet will be able to play Saturday against Clermont! If the clubs owe a week’s vacation to French internationals, they are under no obligation to give it away immediately. The back of the Blues will find his Usapist teammates on Monday and will be part of the group that will prepare the reception of the Auvergnats, Saturday in Aimé-Giral. After the two Top 14 matches, USAP will begin its European campaign with two receptions and a non-match weekend. It is probably during the week before the first game against Newport that Melvyn Jaminet will be able to breathe.
Waiting for the Argentines
The USAP has already recorded the returns of hooker Mike Tadjer (Portugal), center Sipa Taumoepeau (Tonga) from the third row Lucas Bachelier and his captain Mathieu Acébès (Barbarians) who will resume training on Monday. The last to join the Perpignan Sports Park are the Argentines.
The international campaign ended this Sunday for the Pumas. Jeronimo De La Fuente started to face Ireland, Bautista Delguy and Joaquin Oviedo did not play. They could also be aligned against Clermont, depending of course on their state of form.
Before the international truce, the USAP infirmary had also emptied well. USAP can again count on its third row Piula Faasalele who had missed the last two games. Pillar Arthur Joly, hooker Seilala Lam and center Brayden Williame will not be operational until the Castres reception on December 26.