Japanese Saito is, for the first time, a starter. Eight months after his knee injury, Anthony Jelonch takes his place on the bench.
For the trip to Montpellier, this Saturday at the opening of the 3e Top 14 matchday, Ugo Mola chose to start the Japanese Naoto Saito at scrum-half, with Paul Graou taking a place on the bench. He forms the hinge with Thomas Ramos (designated captain), with Romain Ntamack being rested.
It also rotates in the center, with a Barassi-Delibes pair, and on the wings (Capuozzo and Lebel). The Scot Blair Kinghorn takes advantage of this to find his favorite position at the back.
Jelonch back on the bench
Up front, Anthony Jelonch, finally back from injury, takes his place on the bench, ready to strengthen an experimental third row made up of Banos and Théo Ntamack starting alongside Englishman Jack Willis.
Stade Toulousain’s starting XV : 15. Kinghorn – 14. Capuozzo, 13. Delibes, 12. Barassi, 11. Lebel – 10. Ramos (cap), 9. Saito – 8. T. Ntamack, 7. Willis, 6. Banos – 5. Meafou, 4.Arnold; 3. Ainu’u, 2. Cramont, 1. Neti.
Replacements : 16. Mauvaka or Lacombre, 17. Reilhes, 18. Vergé, 19. Flament, 20. Jelonch, 21. Graou, 22. Costes, 23. Merkler.
On the MHR side, Stuart Hogg, after his legal escapade in Scotland, is back in the rear.
Montpellier’s starting XV : 15. Hogg – 14. Tambwe, 13. Darmon, 12. A. Vincent, 11. Bridge – 10. Miotti, 9. Coly – 8. B. Vunipola, 7. Bécognée, 6. Nouchi (cap.) – 5 . Duguid, 4. Y. Camara – 3. Japaridze, 2. Karkadze, 1. Forletta.
Replacements : 16. Tolofua, 17. Erdocio, 18. Verhaeghe, 19. Chalureau, 20. S. Simmonds, 21. Bernadet, 22. Cadot, 23. Hounkpatin.
Related News :