Top 14. With Lucu and Buros back, the probable composition of UBB against Toulon

After their resounding success on the Castres pitch, UBB welcomes a direct competitor in Chaban Delmas this Saturday. The opportunity to continue its good momentum and widen the gap on the rest of the top 6.

With four points ahead in the standings over their opponent of the day, Bordeaux has a lot to gain (and lose). The Girondins have no room for error. We must maintain the frantic pace of Stade Toulousain.

Above all, in the event of victory, Yannick Bru's men would be up to nine points ahead of the RCT to close the first leg of the championship. An important difference before moving on to the second part of the season.

How to beat the Varois?

A new Bordeaux was perhaps born last weekend at Pierre Fabre. Without its executives, Bordeaux was able to raise the bar, particularly up front. With an impeccable performance in scrum and touchline.

Without that, the match, played in pouring rain, would certainly have slipped through their fingers. A certain Ugo Boniface, left pillar, probably delivered his best game in the Girondin jersey. Effective in the scrum, terrifying in the ground game, the former Bayonne player was everywhere on the pitch. He finally shows his full potential and asks to be seen again on the field. Why not this weekend?

Because even if Jefferson Poirot recently extended his lease for two seasons, it will be necessary to find a successor on the left of the melee led by Jean-Baptiste Poux. Until now, neither Boniface nor Perchaud, recently arrived from Bayonne, have managed to take the jersey from him.

An expected return

Small event in the match: Romain Buros could make his big comeback. Away from the field since the match against the All Blacks, during which he received a crutch. The now international full-back was greatly missed by Yannick Bru, forced to bring on Louis Bielle-Biarrey in the 15th.

Moreover “LBB”, on vacation last week, will return to the Top 14 fields, just like Maxime Lucu and Marko Gazzotti.

Important absentees

On the absent side, Matthieu Jalibert is nursing his thigh. The international fly-half, injured against Ulster, plans to return for the Champions Cup matches in mid-January. In the pack, Bochaton and Gray are still in the infirmary.