For this first match of the year at La Rabine, the first also of the return phase, Jean-Noël Spitzer's RC Vannes finds itself obliged to take points against the ogre Clermont, which remains on three defeats consecutive, in the European Cup at Leinster (15-7) and in the championship at La Rochelle (20-15) and against Montpellier (18-22).
A first home match “decisive” in terms of maintaining, says the Breton coach, for which the Vannes staff could make up to eight changes in the starting XV compared to the defeat in Pau (48-24, 13th day).
Bourgeois and Edwards up front
Right pillar Simon Bourgeois could thus start on the front line with Mako Vunipola and hooker Cyril Blanchard. In the possible absence of second row Anton Bresler, injured in a calf, Éric Marks could accompany Fabrice Metz in the cage. In the third curtain, Francisco Gorrissen and Sione Kalamafoni should continue, and Jo Edwards find a starting place after his ankle injury in November in Clermont and his entry into play last week in Pau.
Uncertainty on the back lines
Substitute in Béarn, fly-half Maxime Lafage should regain his starting place in the hinge, alongside scrum-half Michael Ruru. The choices of the Vannes staff, who had not yet announced to the players on Thursday the list of 23 who will be on the match sheet, appear more uncertain concerning the back lines. Rayasi, Nakosi, Camou, Arrate, Taccola and Saili took turns wearing the starting shirt during the opposition at the end of training.
The probable line-up of RC Vannes : 15. Surano – 14. Camou, 13. Taccola, 12. Arrate, 11. Rayasi – 10. Lafage, 9. Ruru – 7. Gorrissen (cap), 8. Kalamafoni, 6. Edwards – 5. Metz, 4. Marks – 3. Bourgeois, 2. Blanchard, 1. Vunipola.
Substitutes: Béziat, Djehi, Mézou, Boulier, Augry, Le Bail, Saili, Medrano.
