In addition to losing frustratingly in Angoulême on Friday (30-29), the SUA also lost its captain. Arnaud Duputs left prematurely, injured in the wrist, replaced by Matthieu Bonnet.
While the SUA only had “only” the Irish second line John Madigan and the back Jean-Marcellin Buttin in the infirmary, it lost its leader Arnaud Duputs in the battle of Chanzy. Following a touch, the former Bayonne player fell violently on his hand. His wrist would probably be broken which should result, according to our information, in an absence of at least two or even three months. A real blow for the SUA.
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Pro D2 – At the end of a lively meeting, Soyaux-Angoulême won by a whisker against Agen.
Which captain to replace Duputs?
Therefore, the question arises of who will digitally replace Arnaud Duputs. Solutions exist. The most credible leads to Valentin Gayraud who is off to a flying start to the season. However, other players could wear number 7. Evan Olmstead and Mathieu De Giovanni are capable of playing there, but also and especially Vincent Farré, who has spent almost his entire career there. The 34-year-old is enjoying a second youth this season and his combativeness would not be too much in this key position. Also, Matthieu Bonnet, Tomasi Fineanganofo and Martin Devergie are also able to leave the third line lane to position themselves on the flank.
Sébastien Calvet is spoiled for choice even if the absence of his captain will be difficult to fill. And the captaincy, let’s talk about it. Who will take on this role in the coming weeks? The most likely profile concerns Julien Lebian. The young flanker has already taken the armband twice this season. To assist him, William Demotte, Vincent Farré and Evan Olmstead are around, as is Peyo Muscarditz, who is also a leader of this Lot-et-Garonnais group despite his recent arrival.
What about the injuries to Garrigues, Ramoka and Demotte?
The former Bayonne resident is not the only one to have left Chanzy affected. Clément Garrigues limped out prematurely with an ankle injury. Ditto for William Demotte. As for Kolinio Ramoka, he suffered from a concussion. From then on, there was concern about their participation in the derby on Thursday against Montauban, current co-leader of Pro D2 with Provence Rugby and Grenoble.
However, according to the latest information, all three have chances to play this match. If the final decision should be taken on Wednesday by the Agenais staff, it is possible to see these three key pieces of the Agenais system playing this match. Which would not be too much against the Montalbanese neighbor, who won during the last two clashes in Armandie.
On the other hand, the SUA will be without its Portuguese winger, Lucas Martins, retained by the Lelos for the trip to Scotland this weekend. To replace him, Henry Purdy, Loris Tolot, Inoke Nalaga, Ethan Randle and Thibaud Mazzoléni are the options available to Sébastien Calvet.
