Pro D2. FCG: an unexpected absence, a welcome return… The line-up against Nice

“There is no rotation,” Patrick Pezery would like to point out. “We are scratching our heads at the forward level, because we have quite a few injuries. But we are lucky to have players who are coming back from injury, so they can also claim to perform in this group. »

Two of the changes in the starting XV are imposed on the Pezery-Nadau duo. Victim of a concussion against the Brivists, the South African Ryno Pieterse is on forced rest. He will be replaced, position for position (n°6), by Thomas Ployet, who will have his sixth start in a row, but the first as a 3rd wing line.

At the opening, Sam Davies had to continue. But the Welshman, due to a personal concern, will leave his place of n°10 to Marc Palmier (as in Mont-de-Marsan, 26-30); which also allows Max Clément, absent from the match sheets for five matches, to return among the replacements.

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Phillips: a timely return

The third change is at the hooker position, where the most frequent starter (Mathis Sarragallet) is left to rest, to make way for Lilian Rossi (holder) and Bastien Soury (finisher).

Due to the shift of Thomas Ployet from the 2^e at 3^e line, Giorgi Javakhia will be supported “in the cage” by Pierce Phillips. Hit in the calf against Colomiers (69-15) and absent from the last two meetings, the Englishman returns at the right time to bring experience and density to the Alpine pack.

In 2^e replacement line, the Dauphinois will once again count on the Australian Cameron Holt, who had his first minutes of play in Rouge et Bleu against CAB and is back on the bench against Nice.

On the substitutes’ bench, left pillar Eli Eglaine will have his second match sheet of the 2024-2025 season, well recovered from his wrist operation.

The young Matheysin flanker Camille Baz-Marcos, performing well in each of his five appearances this fall in Pro D2, also retains the confidence of the staff. His friend from the training center Mathis Baret, who is finishing his recovery after a sprained ankle, will be taken to the Côte d’Azur in an extended group, which also includes the Georgian center Giorgi Kveseladze.

NOTE. The Stade Niçois – Grenoble match will be followed live with commentary on www.ledauphine.com/sport on Friday from 6:30 p.m.

The composition of the FCG in Nice

Farnoux – W. Hulleu, Hériteau, R. Fusier (cap), G. Cros – (o) Palmier, (m) Escande – Guillaumond, Sirgel, Ployet – Javakhia, Phillips – Pertaia, Rossi, Gauthier.

Substitutes : Soury, Eglaine, J. Thomas, Holt, Baz-Marcos, Bar. Couilloud, Clément, Rasaku.