Rugby: the SA XV in Nice with the two associated “Morands” and new blood behind it

This was expected during this third day of a block of five games: after renewing the same starting XV with three elements at Aurillac and then against Brive, the staff of the SA XV chose to rotate his team to a degree big Friday afternoon (7:30pm) in Nice.

Nine players will grace their first game sheet of the season for the event, including eight as starters. Patxi Bidart and Seydou Diakité in the forward line, Alexis Levron at the scrum, and the entire three-quarter line behind the fly-half and the captain Ben Botica, the only one who made the third start.

“Bring out” May, Mau, Tilsley, Gratien and Brosset. Place Barret, Lafon, recovered well from his surprising back injury against Montauban, Proult who has entered the match twice, Farissier and Dubecq. Only the England international and the full-back will also travel as substitutes, along with Manu Saubusse. The last “neophyte” of the day.

So the SA XV will have a chance to test the depth of its bench, with boys who have been impatient for three weeks.

The other great novelty of this “new look” team is the presence for the first time as starters of the twins Enzo and Léo Morand-Bruyat, associated with the second series. Where the father John took so long. Finally, Georgi Balakarev will start on the left side of the first row without Sami Zouhair (hernia).

If the attackers Barka, Devisme, Boutemmani, Dalton and Lemardelet, like May and Brosset behind them, slip to the bench, ten players will leave the group: Matu’u, Kitwanga, Nabou, Sentubéry, Zamora, Tilsley, Mau, Gratien, Bau and Dahir.

But there will be something for everyone in the coming weeks, with the welcome at Stade Montois and the trip to Dax at the end of this first block. With the expected return of Gautier Gibouin. For Zouhair, Beukeboom, Texier and Glénat, who are recovering, we may have to wait a little longer.