The Champions Cup resumes its rights at the start of 2025. The opportunity to take stock of the numbers of French clubs involved in the competition.
Racing 92 :
Nolann Le Garrec and Cameron Woki are both on leave. Captain Gaël Fickou has a thumb injury and will be out for the next two months. Janick Tarrit, returned from suspension but injured in the ankle last weekend against Toulon, is unavailable. Demba Bamba is in the recovery phase and will be competitive at the start of spring. On the other hand, the news is rather reassuring for English fly-half Owen Farrell: he, successfully operated on for pubalgia three weeks ago, will be back on the field next week for the Stormers reception at Paris-La Défense Arena.
Bordeaux-Bègles:
Second row Adam Coleman will be out for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury. This is a new hard blow for the UBB which is already deprived of Jonny Gray whose return should take place at the end of January or beginning of February, but also of Pierre Bochaton. Hooker Connor Sa will not be traveling to England to preserve a sore calf. Finally, pillar Ben Tameifuna was released this week so that he could attend his sister’s funeral. For his part, three-quarter center Nicolas Depoortere is in regeneration week. Perchaud, Falatea and Samu are still in the infirmary. Affane, Carbery, Tapuai and Retière are also expected to make the trip to Exeter.
Toulouse :
Alexandre Roumat, victim of a muscle injury in training last week, did not travel to South Africa. He will be absent two to three weeks. Furthermore, Théo Ntamack, David Ainu’u, Naoto Saito or Benjamin Bertrand, victims of various problems, are not on the trip either. Furthermore, Guillaume Cramont (ankle) continues his rehabilitation. Alban Placines (knee) and Mathis Castro-Ferreira (elbow) are unavailable. It remains to be seen where Richie Arnold really stands, having returned from his shoulder injury but suffering from a calf problem which deprived him of the trip to La Rochelle. Setareki Bituniyata (knee) finished his season. Nepo Laulala (Achilles tendon) is still undergoing treatment.
French stadium:
Second row Turagacoke is absent due to the death of his mother. Pierre-Henri Azagoh was injured against UBB and will be out for around two months. Mathieu Hirigoyen is currently recovering from his operation last September for a broken fibula. Melikidze is getting closer to a return to competition. On the other hand, several players were left to rest due to physical problems in view of the crucial match against Vannes during the next day of Top 14. These are Léo Barré and Jérémy Ward who both suffer from the collarbone, just like hooker Lucas Peyresblanques who has been absent since the match against Usap. Paul Alo-Emile is spared due to knee pain.
-Castres:
Affected against the Pau Section last weekend, Louis Le Brun will not challenge the Bulls. The opener suffers from a pectoral. The latter is added to the list of injured, where we find third row Baptiste Delaporte (right arm), Baptiste Cope (shoulder), Tom Staniforth (ankle) and Christian Ambadiang (cruciate ligaments). Will Collier is also unavailable. The right pillar suffers from an injury with hematoma in a calf and will not return to the field until mid-February in the best case scenario.
Toulon :
The victory against Racing 92 last Saturday left many traces. Indeed, Charles Ollivon (cruciate ligament in the right knee, end of season), Teddy Baubigny (calf), Leicester Fainga’anuku (left hand) and Setariki Tuicuvu (left hand operation) have joined the infirmary alongside Smaili ( pubis) or Paia’aua (back). On the other hand, Swan Rebbadj (foot), Jean-Baptiste Gros (thigh), Antoine Frisch (crutch) and Gabin Villière (preserved last weekend) are operational. Melvyn Jaminet will not return to competition before mid-February.
La Rochelle:
Will Skelton, injured in his knee against Clermont at the end of December, is expected for the match against Leinster. As for the recently injured, Thomas Berjon (sprained knee, possible return to Treviso in a week) and Jonathan Danty (knee, absence estimated for another four to six weeks) are still not available. Australian wing joker Suliasi Vunivalu (thigh) and Joel Sclavi (ribs) were treated. Raymond Rhule (Achilles tendon) and Pierre Bourgarit (shin) are still in the infirmary. The maritime staff must also do without the services of two suspended players: Teddy Thomas, who is serving a four-week sanction, and Tolu Latu, tried urgently this week, who received a three-week suspension due to an illegal clearing committed in front of Toulouse. Both the winger and the hooker will be requalified on Monday January 27.
Clermont :
The wait is coming to an end for three-quarter center Léon Darricarrère (hamstring) who should return to competition next week. Fullback Kylan Hamdaoui (pectoral injury) should be available to challenge Pau (January 25) as should center George Moala (fractured zygomatic bone). In the third row, Anthime Hemery (hamstrings) and Pita-Gus Sowakula (hamstrings) are still out. The long-term injured, winger Joris Jurand (ruptured Achilles tendon), scrum-half Enzo Sanga (ankle) and third row Lucas Dessaigne (ruptured cruciate ligaments), are continuing their rehabilitation.
