Top 14. Without Jalibert, Lucu and Bielle-Biarrey, the UBB lineup to face Castres

Saturday evening, the Union Bordeaux-Bègles travels to the Tarn to challenge Castres Olympique. The task lies ahead particularly difficult for the Stade Toulousain dolphins, deprived of a large number of their executives.

Leaders on leave

After following the autumn tour and the Champions Cup, some internationals need to take a breather. We instantly think of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, which is running at full speed at the moment. Maxime Lucu and Marko Gazzotti also benefit from a week off.

Jalibert on the floor

Expected for this match to hold the house in the absence of his friend Maxime Lucu, the Bordeaux opener will not be there. This Thursday evening, we learned that the fly-half was suffering from a thigh injury and that he will miss the next few weeks of competition. His return is planned for mid-January during the Champions Cup matches.

Top 14. Matthieu Jalibert out until 2025: UBB will have to tinker to finish the year

A full infirmary

Aside from the international holidays and Jalibert's injury, the infirmary is also full. Jonny Gray joined him during the match against Ulster, the Scot injured his ankle. Bochaton, Buros, Ducuing, Lamothe, Buros and Samu complete the list of injured.

You will have understood, the UBB will not travel with all its strength to the CO and Yannick Bru will be forced to put together a hybrid team. Despite everything, we have already seen the Girondins be able to perform in this situation in the past, notably in Toulouse where he won in the absence of Depoortère, Buros and Penaud.

A pack capable of competing?

We know that the front eight is often singled out in Gironde, slowing down the arrow exploits of the rear lines. This is a little less true in recent months, even if the scrum or touch can still be lacking. But with the presence of Ben Tameifuna, Adam Coleman and Lachlan Swinton in the packthe Bordelais have the assets to respond to the physical challenge imposed by the locals.

Sharp three-quarters

Same observation behind in the absence of the international hinge. Yann Lesgourgues and Joey Carbery will have a big challenge to take on and the heavy responsibility of leading the game. But Arthur Retière, brilliant in Ulster, causing no less than 5 turnoverswill be able to provide them with solutions. Indeed, the former Toulouse player is regularly put back into the fray during the match.

To summarize, this meeting promises to be very difficult for Bordeaux, in the absence of many of its executives. But the staff has often surprised us in the past and this team is still on a series of four victories in all competitions.