the essential
On this Monday, July 1st, the SUA recruits were to take their first steps with their new partners. They were to, because some are still missing. Explanations.
This was the main topic of discussion this Monday in Armandie. Which players would be present at training? Officially, the SUA could count on its new players from July 1st. So it was a question of taking stock of the current group. Proof of the curiosity aroused, there were dozens of supporters at the edge of the talanquère this Monday. And they were treated to some nice surprises.
Split into two groups, the squad alternated between weight training and on-field playing exercises. Here again, the ball was very present, proof of a desire to bring the leather to life this season. In the staff, the supporters were able to see two new faces, with the return of Rémi Vaquin, in great shape. The former third row, who will bring his knowledge of the touchline, did not hesitate to pass on messages on the circulation of the ball. There was also Julien Gauthier, former assistant of Montauban, and at the controls of a drone a little dazed by the crushing heat.
Englishman Billy Searle is expected to arrive on Tuesday
As for the players, a large majority are on deck. Third-row Martin Devergie was working on the sidelines of the group, with the physical trainer. Winger Inoke Nalaga, for his part, has not been able to take part in any training since the restart. “We will know more about his injury this week,” explains Dave Ryan, without specifying further.
As for the recruits, there were several present. Lucas Malbert, Lucas Martins and Franck Pourteau took their first steps with the group. “Everything went very well. The group is getting along well, so it’s pretty cool,” the latter admits. Another notable present was Argentinian Santiago Socino, “excited to play for the SUA,” as the person concerned told us.
Two other players also cut their holidays short. Béziers second row John Madigan was there, despite a late end to the season. This was also the case for Jack Maunder, the English scrum-half for the Melbourne Rebels, whose end of season took place less than a month ago. The international (one selection) was also a little on the fringes of the group, doing a lot of basic work.
This Monday, there were therefore many present, but also some absent. Thus, the second row of the Stade Français Mathieu de Giovanni is on vacation, after having seen his club lose in the semi-final of Top 14 last week. The right pillar of Montpellier, Lasha Macharashvili, should also arrive late, after the late end of the season of his club, maintained after a victory in the play-offs on the ground of Grenoble.
Finally, still on the absentee list, there was Biarritz fly-half Billy Searle. “He should arrive this Tuesday,” Ryan said. As for manager Sébastien Calvet, his arrival should take place on July 22, at the end of the U20 World Cup in South Africa. Here’s hoping that France goes far, very far, with a new title at stake…
