While Carcassonne began its physical preparation on June 17, for Narbonne, which ended its season much later (June 2), it will be next Monday, July 8, that the restart will ring. On both sides, numerous departures were recorded, as well as arrivals. We take stock.
At USC, 13 starts
The most emblematic of them is that of Andreï Ursache, of course, with no less than 242 matches under the “yellow and black” tunic. USC also records the departures of Damien Añon, Luka Petriashvili, Léo Darrelatour (he could head to Australia), Martin Landajo, Tutuila Vaea Vaea, Sakiusa Bureitakiyaca, Nikoloz Narmania, Shaun Adendorff, Enahemo Artaud, Mesake Kurisaru, Jason Nel, and Nicolas Gogoladze.
On the arrivals side, USC recruited centers Lukas Doyhenard and Paul Gadea, third-row wing Matéo Ibanez, hooker Gabin Villerouge, winger Lilian Pichon and right pillar Siua Halanukonuka. Finally, center Jordan Puletua, third-row Bilal Fadli, fullback Maxime Gianet, third-row Corentin Bousquet, left pillar Yann Arnold and hooker Raphaël Carbou have extended until 2025. Second-row Romain Manchia has also extended, but until 2027.
USC has scheduled two preseason games. Both will take place at the Albert-Domec stadium. The first on Friday August 2 against Nîmes, the second against Albi on August 9.
At Racing, 12 departures
They are Baptiste Abescat, Christophe David, Dorian Peron, Gauthier Wolf, Josh Valentine, Mohamed Kbaier, Louis Balfet, Paul Auradou, Enzo Melisse, James Kane, Ambrose Curtis and Mauro Rebussone. They will not be Narbonnais next season.
On the arrivals side, six players have decided to commit to Racing Club Narbonnais: third rows Nicolas Mousties and Lopeti Timani, second row Darrel Dyer, Limoges scrum-half James Hart, winger Taqele Naiyarovoro and full-back Boris Goutard.
Other information, right pillar Avto Gogiashvili, member of the training center, signs his first professional contract.
The RCN will play a single preparation match, on Tuesday August 13, in Béziers (Raoul-Barrière stadium) on the occasion of the Féria.
The USC and Racing staff have not yet finished recruiting and the two Aude teams should be strengthened very soon.
