After the Champions Cup and before the 6 Nations Tournament, the Top 14 is back with the 15th day. Discover the infirmaries of the fourteen elite clubs, before the weekend's matches.
Toulouse – Montpellier
Toulouse : Anthony Jelonch (calf injury), is out, Santiago Chocobares is managing his concussion. Mathis Castro-Ferreira (elbow) is unavailable, like Guillaume Cramont (ankle) and Matias Remue (ankle), whose developments are positive. The second row Efraín Elías and Raphaël Portat are out (finger). Alexandre Roumat, Richie Arnold, Pita Ahki and Alban Placines are back. If several players have been released by the Blues (see opposite), six Toulouse residents are also training with the French under-20s. Kinghorn (Scotland) and Capuozzo (Italy) are available to the club.
Montpellier : a strong uncertainty still weighs on the presence of Cobus Reinach, injured in the ribs against Bayonne on January 4. But the real big bad news comes from young Alexis Bernadet, since the scrum half's season is possibly over. For the rest, Bastien Chalureau still suffers from a shoulder, Paul Willemse is still having a period of rest to recover from his concussions, while scrum half Léo Coly is still treating a hamstring.
Racing – Castres
Racing : pillar Demba Bamba, still convalescing after suffering a serious knee injury last summer, is now close to a return, which should occur at the end of March or beginning of April. In the absence of Nolann Le Garrec, retained with the Blues, it is Clovis Le Bail who should start at scrum half. Three-quarter center Dan Lancaster starts in midfield where he replaces, once again, Gaël Fickou, whose return to competition is expected against the Italian team in mid-February. The second row Romain Taofifenua, released by the XV of France on Wednesday evening, should be on the sidelines.
Castres : winger Christian Ambadiang, seriously injured in his knee during the first block, sees the end of the tunnel. According to the latest medical report published by the club, the player will be able to return to racing in February. Ditto for the third wing line Baptiste Cope, who underwent biceps surgery, who will be able to resume adapted training next month. Second row Tom Staniforth (ankle), flanker Baptiste Delaporte (shoulder) and prop Will Collier (calf) continue their respective rehabilitation processes.
Vannes – French stadium
Valves : flanker Juan Bautista Pedemonte (operated knee) is unavailable for a long period. Fullback Gwenael Duplenne fractured his hand in preparation for the match against Llanelli Scarlets. Finally, the start of the week was disrupted for a few players including winger Inaki Ayarza, three-quarter center Tani Vili and second row Mathéo Desjeux (virus). Note the return of Costossèque (thigh), that Taccola will join the U 20s after the match and that Benmegal is with France 7 in Perth.
French stadium : third row Mathieu Hirigoyen, victim of a fractured fibula during the first day of Top 14 in Bordeaux, has still not returned to competition. He is late on his return protocol, due to a healing problem that occurred after surgery. Sergo Abramishvili, concussed against Bayonne in early December, will have to wait two more days to return to competition. If the pillar trains with the group, he should play again against Pau (matchday 16, February 15). Finally, second row Pierre-Henri Azagoh (foot) is still unavailable until mid-March.
Pau – Clermont
Pau : Luke Whitelock will make his comeback in the Top 14 after his “warm-up lap” in the European Cup. Sacha Zegueur left the infirmary, cured of his foot pain. Joel Kpoku suffers from a shoulder and has withdrawn. Among the more or less long-term injured, note the recoveries of Siate Tokolahi (rupture of an Achilles tendon), Paulo Pelesasa (fracture of an elbow and forearm), and Clément Laporte (dislocation of a shoulder). But it will be a little short.
-Clermont : Hemery returned to full strength this week in training, while Ceyte was ill. Yato (shoulder), Lanen (shoulder) and Lotrian (knee) will not be traveling while Moala (fracture of the zygomatic bone) and Montagne (shoulder) are doubtful. Sowakula (hamstring) is still out, Akhaladze is still suspended two weeks after his red card conceded in Bath. The long-term injured Jurand (ruptured Achilles tendon), Sanga (ankle) and Dessaigne (ruptured cruciate ligaments) are continuing their rehabilitation. Hamdaoui (pectoral injury) and Darricarrère will be available to face Toulouse on February 16.
Perpignan – Bayonne
Perpignan : the bad news fell at the beginning of the week concerning Jake McIntyre. Released before the break in Parma last Sunday, the Australian fly-half suffered a partial rupture of the lateral ligament in his right knee. A hard blow which should keep him away from the field for a few months. Furthermore, the infirmary is still well stocked with the presence of winger Alistair Crossdale (hamstring), fullback Lucas Dubois (fibula), flankers Alan Brazo (knee) and Jacobus Van Tonder (knee) and second Posolo Tuilagi line (fibula). Return from leave for flyhalf Tommaso Allan, hooker Igancio Ruiz and third row Joaquín Oviedo.
Bayonne : Tevita Tatafu is reinstated but his participation will only be decided at the last moment. Gaëtan Germain and Arthur Iturria have resumed rugby training. Baptiste Chouzenoux is recovered. Andy Bordelai is preserved following a concussion. Yohan Orabé (thigh) is unavailable. Vincent Giudicelli (shoulder) is still in rehabilitation for another week. Pierre Castillon (ankle) is not yet recovered. Reece Hodge (knee) started running again. Esteban Capilla is suspended.
Bordeaux-Bègles – Lyon
UBB : the players called up to the French team at the start of the week before being released on Wednesday evening, namely Maxime Lamothe, Marko Gazzotti, Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert and Nicolas Depoortere, should all be on the sheet. However, they were expected at the club on Thursday to find out if they were able to take their place. Lamothe (calf) and Gazzotti (buttock) were doubtful. Jonny Gray, returning from Scotland, also applied. On the other hand, Ben Tameifuna is absent, forced to travel to New Zealand for family reasons. Cazeaux, Coleman, Buros and Perchaud are in the infirmary.
Lyon : it was with some uncertainty that Lou prepared this trip, in particular regarding the second row Lavanini and the pillar Taofifenua, still unavailable. Rey (neck) is also not good for serving, it is the right-handed Aptisauri who should help out on the left. It will also be necessary to cope without the Italian internationals Ioane and Page-relo, left available for their selection. Finally, it is with a bench of six forwards that Lou decided to approach this trip to Gironde, which will include Camille Chat.
Toulon – La Rochelle
Toulon : Right pillar Kyle Sinckler (forearm) and third wing Charles Ollivon (cruciate knee ligament) underwent surgery this week. Center Duncan Paia'aua is recovering from a spinal injury. He also underwent surgery. Winger Setariki Tuicuvu is recovering from hand surgery. At the time of writing, doubts remain regarding right prop Beka Gigashvili (thigh), hooker Teddy Baubigny (calf) and Leicester centers Fainga'anuku (left hand) and Mathieu Smaïli (pub). Fullback Melvyn Jaminet is still suspended. Players left to rest at Sale will make their return like Isa and Domon.
La Rochelle stadium : there was little optimism at the start of the week regarding the return of the many injured at the moment. The staff should not be able to count on those absent from recent weeks: Reda Wardi (rib cartilage), WillSkelton (knee), Jonathan Danty (knee), Pierre Bourgarit (shin), Ihaia West. Jules Favre (pubalgia) is out. Brice Dulin could be left to rest. Teddy Thomas and Tolu Latu will both be requalified on Monday.
