“The team that will start against Montauban will be close to the one that will attack in Aurillac,” Alexandre Ruiz indicated before the preparation match won against Montauban last Thursday.
This is the case, with two exceptions: the starting position of Lemardelet in the second row, and that of Mau in the centre, who came into play in the second minute after Lafon’s injury.
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The first will form the team with Kitwanga in place of Enzo Morand-Bruyat, the second will be positioned as second center alongside Tilsley. A pair that had proven itself at the end of last season.
“A big bench”
The only real surprise is the presence of the young Zamora in the scrum instead of Bau, a substitute. A strategic choice by the Angoulême staff who are counting on the experience of the former Provençal to best manage the end of the match. “With a big bench,” says the SA XV manager who has chosen to place six forwards for only two backs to withstand the shock against the renowned Cantalou pack.
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There is indeed experience on the bench with Matu’u, Devisme, Dalton, Bau and Dahir, but also punch with Enzo Morand-Bruyat and the young third-row Nollet, transferred from Massy and promising against Montauban.
For the rest, confidence is given to the first line Zouhair – Barka – Boutemmani, to the third curtain May – Brosset – Gratien, to Ben Botica obviously at the opening, and to the third line Texier – Masibaka – Sentubéry in the absence of the two leaders Gibouin and Burgaud, convalescent.
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They are among the six unavailable players along with Léo Morand-Bruyat, Beukeboom, Glénat and Lafon. All the others are not in the squad.