Champions Cup – The Jurand tile and XXL returns: how Clermont is preparing its European return

Everything is going well in Clermont. ASM is on a series of three consecutive victories in the championship (a first under the Urios era) and can proudly look at the ranking with a solid third place behind the Bordeaux and Toulouse armadas. The only downside? The medical staff had their work cut out at the start of the week with three major injuries after the demonstration against Castres. Léon Darricarrère is injured in his hamstrings, Anthony Belleau suffered a huge knockout but above all, the Auvergnat club has announced the probable end of the season of Joris Jurand. The Clermont winger suffers from a ruptured Achilles tendon and will not return to the field for six months. “It’s a hard blow, we lose a big player, a huge scorer, a winger Jiff… But we have quality in this position and I hope that we will be able to bring in Yérim Fall, but it is clear that we lose a top player” breathes Julien Laïrle. A major absence, but compensated for by several important returns.

This Tuesday, during the session open to the public, Clermont supporters had the pleasure of seeing Alivereti Raka, Giorgi Akhaladze, Irae Simone and Rob Simmons again. High-sounding names that come at just the right time for ASM’s big return to the Champions Cup after struggling in the Challenge Cup last season. Bautista Delguy is in the recovery phase and should be too short to face Treviso.

Fourcade, Sowakula and Moala spared

Benetton is therefore advancing to Michelin for a historic first between the two clubs. To maintain the dynamics of the championship, Clermont therefore has the privilege of regenerating its workforce with potential starters. Enough to mitigate the losses of the weekend, as Julien Laïrle attests. “We have three-quarters who have recovered and fortunately otherwise Killian Tixeront would have had to play on the wing once again (laughs)”. If the Tuesday session gives the temperature of the group for the weekend, several key elements of the ASM were still spared. Étienne Fourcade trained separately, Pita-Gus Sowakula watched training in a sweatshirt while George Moala was in the gym. Given their recent performances, the hooker and the center could legitimately put on the “volcanic” jersey this Saturday, while the New Zealand flanker still seems to be in trouble with his hamstrings. Folau Fainga’a is still too tight and should return to competition after the European break.

A European atmosphere that the assistant in charge of forwards and defense will discover. “I have never experienced the Champions Cup but I know that it is a fantastic event, I hope that the stadium will be full and that the match will live up to the legend that is told. The European Cup has always been a goal and it is obvious that we will play it to the fullest this season, just like the Challenge Cup last season.” As a reminder, Clermont will begin its Champions Cup campaign by hosting Treviso then facing Leinster, Bristol and Bath.