Affected by the injuries of two of their potential openers, the CO will trust Vilimoni Botitu to lead the Tarnais game in Clermont.
The victory against Stade Rochelais, last Saturday at Pierre-Fabre, was not obtained without clashes. The Castres lost a few soldiers on the front of this bitter fight, first and foremost the rear Julien Dumora (ribs), the number 10 Louis Le Brun (concussion) and the third row Baptiste Delaporte (hyperextension of an elbow) or Baptiste Cope (dislocated shoulder). If the losses within the third line are damaging, they can be compensated by the return to business of Tyler Ardron and the depth of the Castres bench in this position, the staff being able to rely on Mathieu Babillot, Yann Peysson, Abraham Papali' i see Feibyan Tukino.
Confidence in Chabouni
For the number 10 position, the situation is more complex. The concussion of Louis Le Brun added to the injury of Pierre Popelin, the Castres find themselves considering the trip to Clermont without a professional opener in the group. Julien Dumora, who trained a lot at opening during the off-season, was a key part of the system in the event of injury to the openers. Alas, the rear is also “out” for this trip to Auvergne. It is therefore undoubtedly Vilimoni Botitu who will take on the role of number 10 in Clermont. A position to which the usual three-quarter center has already evolved, notably with its Fijian selection. With the CO, he also started the match in Perpignan during the 20th day of the last edition of the Top 14. A match where the Tarnais were shattered (43-12)… His three-quarter coach, Xavier Sadourny, explain : “It’s a chance to have “Boti” with us. He’s still a player who played in a World Cup quarter-final with Fiji. He’s going to have to find automatisms in the position. He’s going fast.” on his hands”, he has an excellent long pass, a great vision of the game. Well, sometimes he struggles to manage weak times. It will be up to other players to take the lead in these moments.”
The absence of Julien Dumora at the back could be compensated for by the tenure of Théo Chabouni, while Geoffrey Palis and Rémy Baget should hold the wings. In the center, it is the Cocagi-Goodhue pair who should attack the match.
