It was a long absence. On June 8, 2024, Alban Placines left the field with a grimace, that of (very) bad days. For good reason, he suffered a rupture of the internal ligament of his left knee. This injury will sideline him for a long time, 7 months and 17 days exactly.
This Saturday, January 25, Alban Placines once again set foot on Ernest-Wallon's lawn, to the applause of the public. Against Montpellier (27-17 victory), he played his first Top 14 match with Stade Toulousain of the season. Since his arrival in Haute-Garonne in 2018, he is not just starting out and has already worn the red and black jersey 119 times.
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Placines, cog of turnover in Top 14
Moreover, his return undoubtedly comes at the best of times. For good reason, Stade Toulousain lacks resources in the third lineat the time of international deadlines. François Cros, Anthony Jelonch and Alexandre Roumat, or even Joshua Brennan and Thibaud Flament who can help out at the post, are summoned to Marcoussis for the VI Nations Tournament.
But Alban Placines knows this situation well. Indeed, the Basque is a regular in Top 14 doubles with Stade Toulousain. The latter was often an essential link for Ugo Mola and his staff during this period. Through his leadership, he supported the club's young players in their first appearances.
In recent seasons, he even obtained the captaincy on several occasions in the absence of internationals. “I was captain at Biarritz and I didn't imagine then that I would be captain at Stade Toulousain a few years later. These are always super interesting exchanges with the coaches. It's a role that I like. I enjoy exchanging to create unity”, he declared to the Dispatch from the South in April 2023.
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One last dance at Stade Toulousain
Today, Alban Placines is no longer new to Stade Toulousain. Seven years later, he won no less than four Shields of Brennusin 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024. Outside of the Top 14, the flanker also saw his team lift the Champions Cup twice, in 2021 and 2024. However, the Toulouse adventure should soon come to an end.
Indeed, the player's contract with Stade Toulousain ends in the summer of 2025. According to the latest rumors, the Sept-Deniers team would not like to extend its lease with Alban Placines. At 31, the player trained at the Section Paloise should nevertheless find a new base. A native of Biarritz, the third row should return to his hometown to finish his career there.
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