After its heavy defeat in Périgueux on Saturday afternoon (40-13), Racing Club Narbonnais must put on the warm-up blue to prepare for the arrival of Bourg-en-Bresse on Saturday (at 6:30 p.m.!). But many uncertainties remain regarding the presence of several players.
It was the result of a nightmarish afternoon. That of a team which conceded 40 points while it was moving with intentions, to achieve a big blow. And if this Monday the manager Julien Seron did not want to elaborate on this meeting, “balanced and revised with the entire workforce”the match on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m. and not 7 p.m. as usual) presents itself as a real turning point for Racing. The supporters, touched, angry and upset, are expecting a real revolt against Bourg-en-Bresse. And there is no doubt that they will not be satisfied with a snatch victory. The Parc des Sports wants to vibrate again and see a team that cleanses its honor.
Especially since in Périgueux, Racing Club Narbonnais not only suffered a big disappointment (40-13), they returned with a serious injury. Starting the opening match over the last four matches, performing well, Tom Chauvet was injured in the acromium. With his arm in a sling as soon as he left just after the hour mark in Périgord, the successful scorer wanted to be reassuring. But his package at the Parc des Sports against Bourg-en-Bresse on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.) is (almost) confirmed. He is now awaiting the results of additional examinations to find out more about his duration of unavailability. Knowing that in this position, Narbonne must already do without the experienced Gilles Bosch, affected by the meniscus. If the native Catalan has to test himself this week, he still seems right to make his return this weekend. The trio of orange and black coaches should therefore trust Boris Goutard, used to this position. The young Thibault Santoro can also help out in this position.
Second row Marius Antonescu took a blow to the jaw against the Périgourdins on Saturday. But it's nothing serious for the Romanian colossus, he will be available for this meeting on Saturday evening.
Boundjema absent for two more weeks
On the list of absentees, we should note that of hooker Mehdi Boundjema. With a back injury, he still has to take a two-week break, having not played since the 4th day of the championship, September 13 in Tarbes. And if the Algerian international is not recovered at the end of his work stoppage, the staff would move towards the recruitment of a medical joker, since there are only two players left in this position, Clément Esteriola and Gabriel Atlan.
Then there is uncertainty around the Parataiso Silafai-Lea'ana and Pierre Nueno centers. Both players return to collective training this week and will test themselves. They are heading towards a return to competition during the reception in Bourg-en-Bresse. Second row Dennis Visser could also be available again after muscular discomfort. On the other hand, for third row Charles Malet (thigh), it still seems too fair. The third row Nicolas Mousties (shoulder), the three-quarter Sébastien Giorgis (foot) and the winger Baptiste Tsague (knee) are logically out.
“We come to Narbonne without pressure”
Dead last at the start of the block, the Bressans, Narbonne's next opponents on Saturday, are building a nice climb up the rankings. Their success against Carcassonne 31 to 23 allows them to move up to 10th place. A team which seems to be regaining confidence, according to its manager, Richard Savey, in the columns of Midol: “What we have to remember is our notion of confidence and the fact of having a certain mastery of our Rugby today.” Narbonnais who will have to be wary of a certain Florian Massip. Against USC, the Burgian guard scored his team's 31 points. “We are going to travel to Narbonne without pressure but with intentions. Without disrespecting anyone, I think we have the ability to win against all the teams but conversely we can lose against everyone”, explains the manager. Racing has been warned. He who has a headache will come across a team that is regaining confidence.
France
Rugby
