Pro D2: “It’s a match not to be lost”… Lasha Macarashvili, first start with SU Agen in Armandie against US Montauban

This is a small but notable event in the composition concocted by Sébastien Calvet. For the first time this season at Armandie, Alex Burin will not start on the right of the scrum. He will even be out of the group, he who seemed somewhat blunted during his last outings. Beau Farrance, for his part, gained points in Grenoble then Angoulême, delivering two more than adequate performances, particularly in closed scrums, a sector in which he needed to improve. In the game, the Englishman showed his mobility which gave him a third score in a row.

But he will start on the bench. Because the holder will indeed be Lasha Macarashvili. Rested during the last two weekends, the solid Georgian (1.91 m for 128 kg) will start alongside the usual Santiago Socino and Hans Lombard-Buret. To the great pleasure of the former Montpellier resident: “We are very motivated. We are aware that it is a derby and that it is a match not to be lost, especially at home. »

Even lending itself to a touch of humor: “Montauban won the last two matches at Armandie because I wasn't there. But now, that’s going to change (laughs). »

31 minutes average

The Georgian, who hopes to “raze everything” in the rucks against the catchy Montalbanians, will only start for the third time this season. He had been at Mont-de-Marsan and Biarritz but has still participated in seven matches so far. Ultimately playing quite little each time since he has an average playing time of 31 minutes per match.
Against Montauban, he will have an important role since the co-leader of Pro D2 is one of the best scrums in the division. “We know that they are very good at winning, especially on defensive mauls. And in the scrum, they are also solid,” analyzes the Georgian. This first tenure at Agen should earn him points.