Injuries, returns or even suspensions, we take stock of the numbers of the different clubs before the thirteenth day of Pro D2.
The Montois returned from Oyonnax with three new wounded. Aurélien Lafforgue and Miles Edwards were hit in the knee, Simao Bento in the adductors, all without seriousness but they are not operational for this meeting. They join in care Eroni Sau (knee, season ended), Nicolas Garrault (knee) Jules Even (back) Christophe Loustalot (adductors) and Aston Fortuin (suspension and elbow problem). Raphaël Darquier, injured since the start of the season, resumes with the Espoirs. Romain Durand, who struggled with his back last week, is back on the second row.
Grenoble :
While the absentees were already legion in the second-third line positions (Muarua, Nansen, Lainault, Madeira, Hardwick…), the list has grown even more in recent days between the concussion suffered by Martel against Colomiers, and the tear at a thigh contracted by Phillips this Tuesday. Enough to precipitate the integration of Pieterse, and the first of the recruit Sirgel… The wingers Cros (adductors) and Hulleu (gastro) are also absent. Note the first from scrum half Boissier.
Brive:
The versatile Stuart Olding, victim of a major ankle sprain against Montauban, will be absent for several weeks and will miss the end of 2024. He is the only one absent from the CAB back lines. Up front, several players are still missing such as Adrien Pélissié (knee), Julien Delannoy (thigh), Sasha Gué (pectoral) or Ross Moriarty (knee). Number 8 Rahboni Vosayaco, who went out with a sore shoulder at half-time last week, is also absent. Renger Van Eerten and Paul Pimienta have resumed with the collective.
Béziers:
Few injuries to deplore for the Biterrois who will benefit from great depth to make some changes for this trip. Returns of Taleta Tupuola and Otunuku Pauta. Both players, for various reasons, had not played since the end of October. Romain Uruty is still judged to be a little fair, while captain Clément Ancely is serving his last match of suspension. Only left pillar Youssef Amrouni is injured in the calf with estimated unavailability until January.
Aurillac :
The Aurillac staff can count on several returnees like Luka Nioradze, Tedo Abzhandadze or Elijah Niko, all unavailable in Biarritz last week. But against Valence-Romans, Medhi Slamani, Aleksandre Burduli, and Hugo Huurman will not be on Jean-Alric's pitch. The last two are still in care, while Lucas Oudard must devote himself to obtaining his diploma.
Valence-Romans :
Almost empty last week for the trip to Soyaux-Angoulême, with the exception of the presence of three-quarters Charles Bouldoire (wrist operation), the Drôme infirmary filled up slightly during the week. Irish second row Darren O'Shea will be unavailable for this trip to Aurillac due to an ankle injury. Author of a good start in Charente, the young third row Philippe Laville will be absent with a shoulder injury. As for right pillar Kévin Goze, he was uncertain all week, injured in the thigh.
Nice :
The Nice infirmary, until now rather spared, suffered the wrath of the move to Aix-en-Provence. Murday (elbow), Beaufils (concussion), Conduché (concussion), Odiete (ischio), Duffau (shoulder) join Ménoret (ankle), Tivoli (hernia) and Martinez in care. In terms of good news: Pupuma is making his return and will start on the bench as well as Jeune-Joly ready to return for the first time.
Nevers :
Left pillar Aitor Kitutu joins the injured list, and gives up his place in the group to Kamaliele Tufele. If the pack is generally stable after the defeat against Dax, the three-quarter line is completely renewed and will see the first appearance of Noa Pommelet, who arrived from Espoirs du Lou this summer and was injured just before the start of the championship. Tom Deleuze returns to the back, two months after his last match (victory against Béziers, 6th day), which he played at the opening. Starting eleven times out of twelve matches, captain Rudy Derrieux will replace in a two-three-quarter bench, with scrum-half Simon Tarel.
Agen :
William Demotte and John Madigan are still missing at the front even if the first mentioned should quickly return to the competition. Among the forwards, Martin Devergie and Arnaud Duputs are not available either. For three-quarters, no major injuries to report. Jean-Marcellin Buttin is expected at the start of 2025 while Kolinio Ramoka is still on the sidelines following a tear. In the good news, Théo Belan and Pierre Jouvin are returning to the group.
Oyonnax :
There are still people on the benches of the Aindinois infirmary with Kebble (concussion), Vaotoa (foot fracture), Durand (ankle ligament) and Bouraux (shoulder surgery). But after the returns of the internationals last week, Lobzhanidze (Georgia) Johnson (Scotland), Leindekar (Uruguay), the group recorded new returns. Maëlan Rabut has served his suspension, Veresa Ramotabua, Phœnix Battye and Jonathan Ruru are operational. Gavin Startk has also returned to training.
Montauban:
Léo Aouf still suffers from his shoulder and should be absent for several more weeks. For Mirian Burduli, it's the elbow but the Georgian pillar should find the field quickly. For his part, hooker Kevin Firmin (ankle) has recovered and should return to his place next week. At scrum half, Hugo Zabalza is back while Joe Powell is still nursing his ribs. Paul Vallée underwent foot surgery. The young winger should make his return after the end-of-year holidays. Yvan Reilhac suffers from a sprained ankle and will be back on the field very soon.
Soyaux-Angoulême:
Absent last week, wingers Nathan Farissier and Eoghan Barrett are back to go to Montauban, the first starter, the second substitute. Out injured in the shoulder against Valence-Romans, third row Clément Sentubéry enters the infirmary, along with Omar Dahir, Ian Kitwanga and the long-term injured Matthys Gratien and Rémi Brosset. Vivien Devisme, Leo Morand-Bruyat, Gautier Gibouin and Corentin Glénat are on their way back.
Dax :
The pillars Thibaud Dréan (calculations) and Nephi Leatigaga (calf) are unavailable, as is the hooker Iban Hiriart-Urruty, injured in the thigh. In the second row, Mattieu Bidau (shoulder), Alex Manukula (hand) and Lucas Guillaume (thigh and knee) are in the infirmary for a long time. The third row Théo Trémeau, injured in the sides, will not be able to participate in the match against Biarritz. Scrum half Simon Garrouteigt had cruciate ligament surgery on his knee. The same fate awaits winger Jope Naseara, injured against Stade Mons. Finally, Alexandre Pilati is recovering from his adductor surgery.
Biarritz :
Victim of a ruptured Achilles tendon against Bayonne, Dyer is still in care. Fariscot (patella and ankle) will be at CERS starting next week. He won't return until January. Yoni Tuataane (posterior ligament rupture), Filimo Taofifenua (knee), Tyler Morgan (ischios), Arthur Bonneval and Bastien Guillemin (calf), Clément Martinez (adductors) are not yet available. Zach Kibirige (hamstring) is expected for next week. Gervais Cordin (crutch) is still a little tight. Masivesi Dakuwaqa will be 24th man.
