Top 14 – Update on the squad before the sixth day

Racing 92 – Toulon

Racing 92 : The colossus Romain Taofifenua makes his return to the cage where he will accompany the very promising Junior Kpoku. On the wings, confidence is maintained in Josua Tuisova and Vinaya Habosi, very good in Vannes last Saturday. The three-quarter center Dan Lancaster should start in the middle of the field and Jordan Joseph could resume his starting place at number 8. The Australian Alifeleti Kaitu’u, Janick Tarrit’s medical joker, should experience his first tenure under the Ciel et Blanc jersey.

Toulon : The medical staff does not have too much work at the start of the season. Second row Swan Rebbadj (foot operation) and prop Beka Gigashvili (thigh operation) are still on the sidelines for several months. Second row David Ribbans has recovered from his calf injury. Fullback Melvyn Jaminet is still suspended until January. The pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros, expelled against Castres, will be requalified from October 21. All other elements of the workforce are operational and at the disposal of Pierre Mignoni.

Bayonne – La Rochelle

Bayonne : England center three-quarter Manu Tuilagi is about to play again. Its participation is not 100% acquired. Scrum half Guillaume Rouet is also uncertain. Winger Arnaud Erbinartegaray, injured in an ankle, will not be able to hold his place. Nadir Megdoud, injured in a wrist, is still unavailable. Center Reece Hodge is not yet completely healed from a knee hematoma that has not healed. Rémi Bourdeau, recovered from his patellar tendon operation in the offseason, is recovering but is not yet completely ready. Quentin Béthune should undergo cervical surgery. Gaëtan Germain still has knee complications. Return of Mateo Carreras.

La Rochelle : Cascade of injuries in La Rochelle. Behind, to the long-term injured (Rhule, Bosmorin, Bollengier) were recently added the withdrawals of Thomas, Nowell and Seuteni. Daunivucu is suspended after being sent off with the hopes. Up front, Botia should still be too short. Hooker Pierre Bourgarit and prop Thierry Paiva are still in the infirmary.

Montpellier – Vannes

Montpellier : Several executive returns to note this week with those of Camara, Duguid, Nouchi, Darmon. Hounkpatin, initially scheduled to start last week but ultimately ill, will be there. Also back from Hogg at the back and the double South African world champion Reinach, back from selection. Young left-hander Luca Tabarot is out after making his first appearance of the season last week. He is replaced by Georgian international Nika Abuladze who will take his place on the bench and make his first appearance with his new team. Willemse underwent neurological examinations at the end of the week after his concussion and the rest of his career is uncertain.

Valves : cases of gastroenteritis disrupted the Bretons’ week and certain players were unable to train normally (Vunipola, Rayasi, etc.). Otherwise, all the players in the squad are fit, apart from Pedemonte (crutch), Valleau (back) and of course Ruru (calf). The latter should not be operational for at least three weeks.

Pau – Castres

Pau : Hit in an ankle, second row Joel Kpoku enters the infirmary. Thibaut Hamonou (concussion) goes the opposite way. Reece Hewat is still nursing a sprained knee, as is Lesko Kaulashvili (ankle). Finally, Mickaël Capelli (knee), Thomas Carol (knee), Clément Mondinat (meniscus), Hugo Parrou (shoulder), Paulo Pelesasa (sprained elbow and forearm fracture), Lucas Rey (shoulder), Rémi Seneca (knee), Siate Tokolahi (Achilles tendon) and Luke Whitelock (Achilles tendon) are long-term absentees.

Castres : Tom Staniforth is out for nine months (ankle surgery). Tyler Ardron is still suffering from a meniscus injury, Julien Dumora from a broken hand and Romain Macurdy is still complaining about a shoulder. Florent Vanverberghe will be unavailable due to a painful foot, as will Pierre Popelin, who is suffering from adductor pain. Note the possible return of Adrea Cocagi after her four-match suspension. Guérois-Galisson was uncertain because of a possible acromio.

UBB – Perpignan

UBB : young hooker Connor Sa (22 years old), who has not played an official match since May 2023, could make his big debut with UBB this Saturday. He applies to take a place on the substitutes’ bench. Sick last weekend, Damian Penaud should be present at kick-off, as will second row Guido Petti Pagadizábal. Nans Ducuing and Paul Abadie have resumed collective training.

Perpignan : prop Giorgi Beria (ankle), fly-half Tommaso Allan (knee) and hooker Seilala Lam (shoulder) had some problems after the victory against the Pau Section. If the nature of the injuries did not worry the Catalan staff, these players could be preserved for the trip to Gironde. Furthermore, Giorgi Tetrashvili and Alistair Crossdale have returned to training with the squad and are applying for the match. Jacobus Van Tonder (ruptured cruciate ligaments), Posolo Tuilagi (fractured tibia) and Jake McIntyre (ruptured pectoral) continue their convalescence.

Toulouse – Clermont

Toulouse : Willis (thigh) and Placines (knee) are back in the race but should be too close. Baille (ankle), Laulala (Achilles tendon), Castro-Ferreira (sinus fracture) and Chocobares (knee) are still unavailable, like the young Delpy and Gourgues. Barassi (calf) is out. Mallia is back from selection, as Dupont is from leave. On vacation last week, Romain Ntamack and Capuozzo are present. Thomas Ramos was spared at the start of the week.

Clermont : no additional injuries were reported after the victory against Toulon. George Moala is available again after suffering a concussion. Étienne Fourcade (fracture to a cheekbone) is still in care. Anthime Hémery (shoulder) and Pita Gus Sowakula (knee) are highly doubtful. The long-term injured, Rob Simmons (biceps), Enzo Sanga (ankle) and Lucas Dessaigne (cruciate ligament rupture), continue their rehabilitation.

Lyon – French stadium

Lyon : despite a shortened training due to a shock to the foot, prop Jermaine Ainsley should hold his place on Sunday, the examinations having revealed nothing serious. Absent in La Rochelle, right pillar Gomes Sa is applying again, as is second row Lavanini who should have his first match sheet. Having undergone biceps surgery this summer, number 8 Gouzou has returned to training without restriction, while Allen (knee) and Regard (Achilles tendon) are in the rehabilitation phase. Saghinadze (knee) will be missing for about another month.

French stadium : Paris is still missing three of its pillars (Paul Alo-Emile, Giorgi Melikidze and Sergo Abramishvili). However, they are close to a return. They could return to the rotation during the 9th day against La Rochelle, perhaps even a little before for Alo-Emile. On the other hand, another pillar was recently affected. It is the Argentinian international Gomez Kodela who complains about the ribs. He will be absent.