This is the last match of the year 2024, the day of “Boxing Day”, for the 13th and last meeting of this first leg of the Top 14. The programming offered a shock from the bottom of the table between the Section Paloise and the RC Vannes, Saturday December 28 at 2 p.m.
For this very important match, in order to stay in touch in the difficult fight for survival, the Vannes staff should focus on continuity. Only four changes could be made in the XV, mainly on the back lines.
In the pack, only Anton Bresler should replace Eric Marks compared to the Bayonne reception last weekend. The first line Vunipola, Blanchard, Medrano should continue. Just like Simon Augry, on the third line, in the absence of Juan Bautista Pedemonte, injured in the knee.
Joe Edwards back on the bench, Salesi Rayasi out
Joe Edwards could make his comeback to the group, more than two months after his ankle injury in Clermont.
On the wings, Romaric Camou and Iñaki Ayarza could start in place of Enzo Benmegal and Salesi Rayasi. The New Zealander, suffering from adductor discomfort since the preparation against Gloucester, was quickly released at the start of the second half against Aviron Bayonnais. It would be a notable absence for a match of this importance. Rayasi is RCV’s top try scorer (4) but also has the most crossings (12) and broken tackles (36) since the start of the season.
But the biggest surprise would come from the tenure of Thibault Debaës at the opening for his big return to Pau, where he was born and trained. This would be his third start of the season, but the first with the executives. Maxime Lafage, who had started the other twelve matches, would start on the bench for the first time this season.
The probable composition of RC Vannes: 15. Surano – 14. Camou, 13. Costossèque, 12. Saili, 11. Ayarza – 10. Debaës, 9. Ruru – 7. Gorrissen (cap), 8. Kalamafoni, 6. Augry – 5. Metz, 4. Bresler – 3. Medrano, 2. Blanchard, 1. Vunipola.
Substitutes: Béziat, Djehi, Marks, Edwards, Boulier, Varney, Lafage, Tafili.
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