Paris (AFP)
No round of observation: deprived of many international mobilized by the World Cup, the champion Toulouse and the finalist Clermont take over the Top 14 by dangerous meetings against Bordeaux-Bègles and La Rochelle, Saturday and Sunday during the 1st day.
SATURDAY
(18h00) Racing 92 - Bayonne. Racing turned a page, that of his duo of coaches Laurent Travers-Laurent Labit, with the departure of the second towards the XV of France. Now the only master on board, the first is still ambitious but, deprived of three openers - François Trinh-Duc injured in addition to Finn Russell and Ben Volavola, among the 10 absent because of Mondial - he must rethink his offensive animation. The opportunity is interesting for the promoted Bayonne, who will want to avoid the sad record of his predecessor Perpignan (15 defeats in the league start) despite a complicated schedule (reception of Clermont then moving to the Stade Français).
Castres - Montpellier. Opposed in the final in 2018 and the inaugural day two months later, with each time a surprise victory of the CO, Castrais and Montpellier start their season with a classic championship of France. After a very disappointing season for the Tarn, not qualified for the finals, and mixed for the Herault, eliminated in the playoffs after a spectacular recovery, it is a new start for both teams: Mauricio Reggiardo took the place of Christophe Urios on the CO bench, and Xavier Garbajosa pushed Vern Cotter out of the MHR.
Agen - Toulon. With three receptions for the first four days, the SUA begins its season with the imperative need to collect points for the race to maintain. In front, Toulon is deprived of many important players, injured or in selection. No question, however, to mope: the RCT, only 9th last season, does not want to relive this galley and intends to win away immediately, which had taken 18 days in the previous exercise.
Lyon - French Stadium. The offseason was hectic on the side of the capital. Manager Heyneke Meyer has retained the confidence of its owner Hans-Peter Wild but the squad has been revamped with the departure of historic players like Alexandre Flanquart, Djibril Camara or Sergio Parisse. Beyond an image to be reclaimed, the Stadistes will have to assume their high ambitions and dreams of the final phase. It starts Saturday in Lyon, which had beaten them twice last season.
Pau - Brive. They had left each other just a few months ago. Nicolas Godignon and Brive meet again in Pau, new playground of the former player and coach of Corréziens. The opportunity for the Palois to regain their image after a complicated season? Not sure. In the euphoria of the climb, the Brivists arrive inflated morale to block after their success in Bordeaux-Begles in friendly, with four tries to the key.
(8:45 pm) Bordeaux-Bègles - Toulouse. The Bordelais, ambitious, start with a big piece: the Stade Toulouse, champion of France in title. The Rouge et Noir arrive in the Gironde with fifteen or fewer internationals, not to mention the injuries of the pillar Dorian Aldegheri, the third line Louis-Benoît Madaule or hookers Julien and Guillaume Marchand. The perfect opportunity for Christophe Urios, the new manager of UBB, to start well.
SUNDAY
(16h50) Clermont - La Rochelle. Two weeks ago, La Rochelle had made a mouthful of Clermont (33-17). It was certainly a pre-season friendly and the Maritimes, led by a Brock James XXL, had a strong finish to win. What reinforce the uncertainties concerning the ASM, deprived of a dozen international (Laidlaw, Yato, Lopez, Fofana, Penaud, Raka, Vahaamahina, Slimani, Iturria) but also its leader Morgan Parra and his left pillar Etienne Falgoux, convalescents. The Rochelais, led by their new coach Ronan O'Gara, come to form a tandem with the New Zealander Jono Gibbes, have a great opportunity to bring down the citadel Marcel-Michelin.
The program:
Saturday
(18h00) Racing 92 - Bayonne
Castres - Montpellier
Agen - Toulon
Lyon - French Stadium
Pau - Brive
(8:45 pm) Bordeaux-Bègles - Toulouse
Sunday
(16h50) Clermont - La Rochelle
© 2019 AFP