Clermont are preparing for the trip to Perpignan (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.) with a squad adjusted according to injuries and returns. Because Barnabé Massa did not train this Tuesday while Folau Fainga’a went out with an ankle injury.
A trip to Cataloniaagainst a Usap bruised by three defeats in a row. What better way to really gauge yourself? Because after three days, Clermont did the job without any major outbursts or “firecrackers” lit, according to the expression dear to Christophe Urios. With ten points in three battles, ASM could have done better, against Racing 92 in particular (defeat 33-20), but she was able to make the most of her two receptions. In this context, the Jaunards will truly know what they have in their belly on Saturday afternoon on the Aimé-Giral pitch. And to prepare for this trip to Perpignan, the Clermont staff first gritted their teeth, this Tuesday, during the traditional training session open to the public. Injured in the calf, Barnabé Massa did not take part in the session while Folau Fainga’a came out of a match after lying on the ground. Remaining several minutes on the Michelin pitch, the Australian hooker left the Clermont enclosure limping low, probably injured in the ankle. On arrival, only Étienne Fourcade finished the training session in the number 2 position. Enough to worry Julien Laïrle? “These injuries don’t look serious, I think.” quickly analyzed the Clermont forwards coach.
Kremer arrives in Clermont in the middle of the week
Having injured his knee on the penultimate day of the Rugby Championship, Argentinian Marcos Kremer will return to Auvergne this week, Julien Laïrle announced. The powerful flanker will undergo tests in Clermont to determine the length of his absence. As a reminder, Bautista Delguy is also with Argentina to play the final day of the Rugby Championship, which could crown the Pumas, in the event of a bonus victory against South Africa.
Urdapilleta back, first for Alaalatoa?
More focused on animating the oppositions of his players, the former coach of Soyaux-Angoulême advances that the match against Perpignan will be a new test for his defense. Holes on the wings in six minutes against Racing, the ASM will have to lock down all areas of the field to repeat the performance of last season, where the Jaunards surprised the Catalans at Aimé-Giral (35-28). “Perpignan is a very playful team with big players up front. So if we suffer, they will put a lot of speed behind and in the wings. We had a few scares against Bayonne so it will be a big test, with a warm atmosphere“. And to repeat the trick of last spring, the Clermont staff should make some changes compared to the first three days. Benjamin Urdapilleta was back at 100% this Tuesday, Irae Simone and Étienne Falgoux seem ready, while Michael Alaalatoa is impatient to put on the yellow and blue jersey. “I’ve been hungry since July! I’ve been working really hard and waiting for the opportunity to play. I’m obviously a bit frustrated not to have played yet, but the team-mates have done the work on the start of the Top 14. I’m doing extra training on the scrum, especially on foot placement, it’s very different to Leinster.”. Having arrived in July from Dublin, the Samoan right-hander has been champing at the bit since the start of the championship and has not yet played a single minute.Michael is adapting to the sequence of training sessions, matches and scrums in the Top 14. In the URC, there were not as many demands, and there is in-depth work on him. He may not be long in joining the group, we will see.” smiles Julien Laïrle under his cap…
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