Ga big supplier of internationals throughout this November tour (12), the Union Bordeaux-Bègles found everyone and did not wait long to align its centerpieces. Apart from Yoram Moefana who was on leave this week, all the other players who said goodbye to their respective selections last weekend are already on the scoresheet for the reception of Montpellier in the Top 14 this Saturday (4:30 p.m.), in Chaban-Delmas. Bielle-Biarrey, Lucu, Gazzotti and Tameifuna will start, Petti and Tatafu on the bench. Workforce management will be for later. Before diving into the Champions Cup, the Gironde club must remain undefeated at home in order to consolidate its 2e place in the championship.
“It feels really good to see everyone again”
“It feels really good to see everyone again. We have so many players who have left that we cannot give vacations to everyone directly,” explains Thibault Giroud, performance director at UBB. “We are going to give time off little by little following a plan, depending on the matches, the playing time…” The clubs have until the end of the calendar year to grant a week of leave to French internationals. Foreign internationals have already benefited from it and will be able to continue.
Disparate states of form
Among the internationals lined up against the MHR, some have continued at the highest level over the last three weeks, like a sparkling Bielle-Biarrey with the Blues and an essential Tameifuna for Tonga. Others, on the other hand, have not had much to sink their teeth into, like Lucu and Lamothe who have remained in the stands for the last two weeks.
“Obviously, the states of form are different,” recognizes Thibault Giroud. “But we have a lot of connections with the selection. Having spent five years there, I know that our methodologies are quite similar. It's easy to be able to exchange. Of all the returning players, none suffered detraining during the international period. The tour is quite short. The Tournament is a little different, it's much longer. The management will not be the same.”
Victim of a crutch in Vannes from the 10e minute of play, Jalibert will hold his place well at the opening and will be keen to turn the page after a very complicated November tour with the XV of France. “We have all experienced complicated moments in our careers and each time we come back to Chaban, we feel a lot of love, a lot of support, it gives confidence,” emphasizes Maxime Lucu. The scrum half also has ants in his legs. “We had a very good month of November with the France team, we trained very seriously there but we wanted to show that we are in good physical condition, to get some playing time back.”
Facing the MHR, the UBB will also be able to count on the return of Depoortere to the center, after his fracture of the orbital floor in mid-October. On the other hand, Buros will have to wait to make his return after his crutch during the France – All Blacks match.
