Unsurprisingly, the staff of the RC Vannes renewed a team very close to the one who achieved, a fortnight ago, one of his biggest exploits of the season by outbreaking Toulon (29-19), with the point of the offensive bonus to the key. The only exception: Nakosi, hit in the calf, has given way to Romaric Camou, of which it will be the 10th tenure of the season. Trained in La Rochelle, the latter had made 80 minutes in the first leg won to everyone’s surprise by the Vannetais (14-23).
As expected also, the bench revolves in 6-2, with the only presences of the rear Debaës and shunned.
Jégou, Haddad-Victor and Danty on the bench, Penverne injured
On the Rochelais side, the infirmary empties. The internationals Jégou and Danty thus find a place on the bench. We will also note the return of Matthias Haddad-Victor (restored to a concussion) at the Rabine but not that of Penverne, former junior world champion in 2023 when he was dismissed at RC Vannes, but who is injured in the shoulder.
On the other hand, La Rochelle will be deprived of her coach Ronan O’Gara finally suspended for five weeks, until the end of the championship.
The compositions
Referee: Luc Ramos
RC Vannes: 15. Surano – 14. Porch, 13. Taccola, 12. Saili, 11. Camou – 10. Lafage (O), 9. Varney (m) – 7. Gorrissen (chap.), 8. Kalamafoni, 6. Edwards – 5. Metz, 4. Marks – 3. Medrano, 2. Béziat, 1.
Substitutes: Blanchard, Moukoro, Mézou, Bresler, Augry, Debaës, Cloudhent, Kité.
Wounded: Ruru (calf), Rayasi (concussion), nakosi (calf) desjeux (crutch), le bail (eye), bourgeois (collarbone), arbitration (ankle), pedemonte (shoulder).
Main coach: Jean-Noël Spitzer.
La Rochelle: 15. Leyds ; 2 10. Hastoy, 9. Kerr-Barlow ; 7. Pa. Boudennant, 8. Alltritt (cap.), 6. Cancer; 5. Skelton, 4. Lavault; 3. Atonio, 2. Sutid, 1. Wardi.
Substitutes: 16. Lespiaucq-Brettes, 17. Paiva, 18. Jegou, 19. Botia, 20. Haddad-Victor, 21. Berjon, 22. West Ou Danty, 23. Kuntelia.
Wounded: Penverne (shoulder), Kadouri (ankle), Pierre Bourgarit (ischio-legs, cervical), Vunivalu.
