Daniel Bibi-Biziwu (4.16/10 average, 6 notes)
Sanctioned with a historically low score of 1/10 in Montpellier, Daniel Bibi-Biziwu embodies, with Guram Papidze, the weaknesses of the Pau scrum (8 penalties conceded, including 5 in scrum). If he had the merit of compensating for his deficiencies in this sector, with great activity in the running game, the dynamism of the ex-Clermont left-hander faded over his first 8 appearances with the Section.
Lekso Kaulashvili (non noté)
Author of his first in an official match in Montpellier (4/10), after the serious ankle sprain he suffered in preparation, the left pillar was far from being the main culprit, but was part of the wreck at Montpellier. Especially in melee. It is up to the Georgian to confirm his status as a flagship recruit in the Béarn front line, despite his new injury. On the shoulder this time.
Dan Jooste (not rated)
Arriving as Lucas Rey's medical joker on October 4, the South African only had the opportunity to speak once, for 23 minutes, in Bordeaux. Unable to shake up the hierarchy over the last five days, the third hooker in the Section is supposed to compensate for the absence of number 1. Which for now is a failure.
Jon Zabala (3.5/10, 2 notes)
Tokolahi's injury and Papidze's poor form offered the Spanish right-hander a shooting window on which he was never able to capitalize. Crowned with the status of scrum pillar never really confirmed, the ex-Biterrois nevertheless compiled 10 match sheets out of 10 possible. For only two tenures. In a position as crucial as that of right pillar, the former resident of Pro D2 is struggling to rise to the level of requirements required by the Top 14.
Harry Williams (4,67/10, 6 notes)
Without doubt the most reliable recruit, and therefore the least disappointing, in the Pau front line. Against Montpellier, the Section was never as shaken in a scrum as in its absence (calf injury). Holder 6 times in 7 appearances, the English international is the only right-hander capable of reaching the performance of Siate Tokolahi, number 1 in the position, and injured since the start of the year. Harry Williams will make his return this Saturday against Lyon.
Tom Franklin (not rated)
Arriving concussed then suffering a calf injury, the former Western Force and Taranaki third row did not play any of the nine matches for which he could have applied. A case, which in addition to that of Jooste, raises the problem of the insignificant contribution of recruits arriving during the season.
Thomas Jolmes (4,33/10, 6 notes)
Despite an appreciable contribution in touch, the ex-Bordelais showed himself to be too inconsistent, but also and above all too clumsy, like these balls lost in contact (6). Author of good matches against Bayonne and Perpignan, the No. 4 on the other hand lost his footing in Clermont in the opening then in Bordeaux more recently. Like his lack of involvement and reactivity in the ground game. An irregularity in performance which already characterized Thomas Jolmes before his arrival in Pau.
Rémi Picquette (4.38/10, 8 notes)
The most used player on the first and second lines combined, the No. 5 who passed through La Rochelle also shows frustrating inconsistency. Sometimes capable of dragging his team in his wake – a rarity in Pau this season – Rémi Picquette also lost too many balls (6), missed a lot of tackles (1.7/match), and fell back to the impact. Even if he also knew how to put his team forward, like against Bayonne or Perpignan.
Joel Kpoku (4.67/10, 3 notes)
Prevented by an ankle injury, the 3rd/2nd line only played half of the Section matches. Including only two as starters. The Englishman was the only Pau native to survive in Montpellier. To his credit, exemplary discipline (only 1 penalty conceded) and valuable defensive reliability (only 1 missed tackle) since his arrival in Pau. However, on the other side of the field, Kpoku turns out to be much less influential.
Loïc Crédoz (5.22/10, 9 ratings)
Without a doubt the least disappointing recruit in the Pau transfer window. From almost all the battles (9 starts in 10 days), the ex-Oyonnax flanker immediately took on the role of captain which Pau was sorely lacking at the start of the year. Second best tackler in the Section behind Zégueur, the third line assumes his new responsibilities by carrying the ball (6.7 times per match), to attack the line with more luckless success (3.5 crossings per match).
Olivier Klémenczak (5/10, 3 notes)
Only used three times, and always on the outside, the former Racing center lost too many balls (3) and was far from impeccable in defense (14/20 in tackling). Sent to the fire against Toulouse and Bordeaux, the 28-year-old player with a fairly neutral offensive performance (only one defender beaten and 33 m covered in three matches) is still looking for his first victory in Vert et Blanc.
Aymeric Luc (4,83/10, 6 notes)
From best to worst. Dazzling against Bayonne despite his defensive laxity, Aymeric Luc weakened in proportions that challenge. Always less inspired offensively (despite his 19 defenders beaten) and always more permissive on the other side of the field, the wing-back who passed through Bayonne and Toulon offers no defensive guarantee (20 successful tackles out of 35). A nightmarish observation confirmed by his non-match in Montpellier.
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang (4.25/10, 4 notes)
Seven is not fifteen. The Olympic champion learned this the hard way. Not so easy to showcase your athletic qualities and your burst of speed in smaller spaces. Offensively, the winger has never made a big difference while his effectiveness on the defensive level also remains very room for improvement (69% of successful tackles).
(1) During a match, only players who have played for at least 40 minutes are rated. The average appears for players who have been rated at least twice.
