The Top 14 doesn't stop even during the end-of-year holidays. Some players are rested, others return to the pitch. Suspended, injured, discover the update on the workforce before the thirteenth day.
Pau
Props Harry Williams (calf) and Lekso Kaulashvili (shoulder) are in the recovery phase. Just like three-quarter center Olivier Klemenczak (quadriceps). But two men returned injured from Toulon: second row Rémi Picquette (shoulder, duration not yet known) and center Tumua Manu (sprained knee, internal lateral ligament, approximately two months of absence). Among the long-term injured: Théo Attissogbe (knee), Luke Whitelock (Achilles tendon), Mickaël Capelli (knee), Lucas Rey (shoulder), Thomas Carol (knee) and Siate Tokolahi (Achilles tendon). Thomas Jolmès also suffers from a sprained ankle and Clément Laporte from a dislocated shoulder.
Valves
Hooker Théo Béziat (blocked back) must be preserved. Prop Phil Kite (calf) will be absent for the trip to Béarn, as will Argentinian third row Juan Bautista Pedemonte (knee). Flyhalf Massimo Ortolan (calf) is out for another week. The third row JoEdwards is totally suitable for this trip to Béarn.
Bayonne
Tevita Tatafu (ankle ligament injury), Vincent Giudicelli and Arthur Iturria (both shoulder injuries), Pierre Castillon (ankle fracture), Xan Mousques (wrist), Fedérico Mori (adductors), Reece Hodge (knee), Quentin Béthune (neck), and Gaëtan Germain (knee) are the long-term injured. Alexander Moon (muscle trauma) cannot hold his place. Return of Facundo Bosch.
Castres
Last Saturday against Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Olympic Castres lost WillCollier for more than a month. Victim of a calf injury with hematoma, the English right-hander will miss four to five weeks of competition and will be back in mid-February. Still in the pack, Baptiste Delaporte (biceps rupture) and Baptiste Cope (shoulder dislocation) will not be back for several months. They are currently in full rehabilitation, just like TomStaniforth, who had ankle surgery last summer. Sidelined last week due to a concussion, Vilimoni Botitu is back.
Clermont
The Auvergne staff did not bring back any serious injuries from their trip to La Rochelle. George Moala (fracture of the zygomatic bone) will not play again for a month, while Léon Darricarrère (ischios), Anthime Hemery (ischios) and Pita-Gus Sowakula (ischios) are all out. Long-term injured Joris Jurand (ruptured Achilles tendon), Kylan Hamdaoui (pectoral injury), Enzo Sanga (ankle), Lucas Dessaigne (ruptured cruciate ligaments) continue their rehabilitation.
Montpellier
Victim of a hamstring injury and released at half-time against Racing 92, winger Maël Moustin is out. Full-back Anthony Bouthier is still recovering and should soon return to competition, while international second row Paul Willemse is still recovering from his repeated concussions. note that pillar Nika Abuladze was injured in the Georgian selection during the last autumn tour. On the other hand, the good news comes from the return to the group of third row Sam Simmonds.
UBB
Injured since the autumn tour, the return of full-back Romain Buros was expected for the reception in Toulon. On vacation last week, Maxime Lucu, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Marko Gazzotti can apply. On the other hand, Matthieu Jalibert, Matis Perchaud, Sipili Falatea, Jonny Gray, Pete Samu and Pierre Bochaton are still absent.
Toulon
Hit in the pubis, Smaïli is now on the side, just like the pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros (thigh), the second Swan Rebbadj (foot), the third row Esteban Abadie (thigh). Scrum half Ben White (calf) will be a little tight. The three-quarter center Antoine Frisch (crutch) is operational. Number 8 Selevasio Tolofua (hip), center Duncan Paia'aua (thigh) are unavailable. Present at collective training, fullback Melvyn Jaminet is suspended until January. Second-third row Yannick Youyoutte is also suspended after being sent off against the Stormers.
Racing 92
Camille Chat will obviously be absent. The Ile-de-France hooker is still on layoff (see also page 19) and could even be fired in January. Following the impressive concussion suffered last weekend in Montpellier at the very end of the match, English full-back Sam James is also absent. He will be forced to take several weeks of rest. Winger Donovan Taofifenua is also still injured.
Lyon
Full-back Alexandre Tchaptchet was injured in his thigh against Toulouse last Sunday and will be very uncertain to face Racing 92. A trip to the Paris region which will be without winger Ethan Dumortier (sprained ankle). The second row Mickaël Guillard and Félix Lambey (ankles), as well as the fly half Paddy Jackson (shoulder) are also still in care.
Perpignan
Good news among the expected returns, with the resumption of the race in training for fly-half Jake McIntyre. Operated several weeks ago at the beginning of October, the Australian is very close to the field, even if all precautions will be required. Bruce Devaux is also perfectly fit, the left pillar is applying for the reception of the Maritimes, just like Mathieu Tanguy who should be recovered from a recurring ankle problem. Nothing worrying for Tavite Veredamu, strapped against the Parisians last week.
La Rochelle
Suffering from a nerve in the shoulder region, Kerr-Barlow is out. Danty (knee) and Nowell (thigh) are doubtful for this trip to Catalonia. Paul Boudehent (acromio) had not yet resumed collective training last week. Bourgarit (shin) and Rhule (Achilles tendon) continue their long convalescence. The maritime staff has planned to put certain internationals mobilized for the autumn tour and other players in high demand since the start of the season like Skelton on leave.
Toulouse
Hit in an elbow in Lyon, Mathis Castro-Ferreira is out. Guillaume Cramont (ankle) and Matias Remue (ankle) are absent. Dmitri Delibes (hamstrings) should still be too tight. Richie Arnold (shoulder) could return to team training. Nepo Laulala (Achilles tendon) is still unavailable. Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos, Julien Marchand, François Cros and Matthis Lebel are back from vacation.
French stadium
Macalou, sent off in the Champions Cup against Saracens, is still suspended. On the other hand, Baptiste Pesenti and Pierre-Henri Azagoh are finished with their suspension. On the injured side, Mathieu Hirigoyen, operated on for a broken fibula last September, must return to competition in January. Lucas Peyresblanques injured a shoulder last Saturday against Usap but should be fit for the UBB reception. Clement Castets, Giorgi Melikidze, Pierre Huguet and Romain Briatte are still absent.
