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UBB already put to the test
The new leader will immediately pass a test of character by going up the Atlantic coast to La Rochelle, one of the best-kept places in the championship in recent years.
"First place, not first place ... At the time of the match, we will no longer remember it", minimized in the week the Girondin coach Christophe Urios.
The poster will be played exceptionally on Friday evening (9:00 p.m.) due to the first test match of the fall series of the XV of France the next day against Argentina.
Bordeaux-Bègles rear Romain Buros against Clermont in Top 14, October 30, 2021 in Bordeaux Thibaud MORITZ AFP / Archives
This meeting will deprive the UBB, currently on a series of six consecutive victories, of several key pieces, including the opening half Matthieu Jalibert, the third row Cameron Woki or the Argentinian second row Guido Petti.
The Rochelais Stadium, fallen back into its failures in Perpignan (22-13) after showing the best, will have to compose without its third row Grégory Alldritt, nor its three-quarter center Jonathan Danty.
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Toulouse still plucked
Falling for the second time this season, on the field of Racing 92 (27-18), the Toulouse stadium was still competitive in the absence of 11 players retained in Marcoussis with the Blues.
They will miss once again for the reception on Saturday of the promoted Perpignan, in addition to the twins Arnold in the second row, Rory in selection, Richie injured.
The Australian 2nd row of Toulouse Rory Arnold ball in hand against Castres in Top 14, October 23, 2021 at the Stade Ernest-Wallon Valentine CHAPUIS AFP / Archives
An opponent within the reach of the Toulouse "bis" team?
Not necessarily, if we rely on the last outing of the Catalans, victorious at La Rochelle (22-13) without their nugget Melvyn Jaminet.
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Azema in known terrain
The new strongman of Toulon will lead his first match on Sunday in a Marcel-Michelin stadium that he knows well for having officiated for 11 years in Clermont.
A potentially tense reunion since a financial dispute opposes the Catalan technician to his former club which claims compensation following his early departure, two years before the end of his contract.
Franck Azema, then Clermont coach, during a Top 14 match in Pau, February 15, 2020 GAIZKA IROZ AFP / Archives
After having had a very hectic week behind the scenes with the replacement of Patrice Collazo by Azéma, the RCT gave itself a little air with a narrow victory against Biarritz (13-9) under a deluge.
He will still have to raise his level of play to hope to bring back something from Auvergne and relaunch in the race for the Top 6.
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Lyon and the Stade Français to relaunch
Two other candidates for the final phase, Lyon and the French Stadium, will try to get back to the fore this weekend.
The LOU, by folding twice in a row outside, could not capitalize on its beautiful victory against Toulouse, then still undefeated.
He will have to react to a direct competitor, Castres, much more crumbly outside his bases.
Stade Français opener Joris Seconds catches the ball during a Top 14 match in Pau, October 30, 2021 GAIZKA IROZ AFP
The French Stadium, for its part, saw its series of three consecutive successes end in Pau (18-9) due to an indiscipline that it will have to erase against Montpellier.
The MHR will try to extend its good momentum despite the start of the selection of its two South African internationals Cobus Reinach and Handré Pollard.
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Neighbors in search of maintenance
The confrontation between the two Pyrenees-Atlantiques clubs, Pau and Biarritz, will be of great value in the struggle which is emerging for maintenance.
Losing speed after a good start to the season, Brive needs to quickly stop the bleeding (four defeats in a row) so as not to continue falling in the standings.
But the Corréziens will receive a heavyweight of the championship, Racing 92, third and carried by a 19-year-old scrum-half, Nolann Le Garrec, currently in great shape.
© 2021 AFP