The 124th version of the French rugby championship opens this Saturday, 3 September. In the meantime, the We Activity editorial group provides you a complete manual to the future year of the Best 14.
In 5 times, the Leading 14 will resume its legal rights for a 2022-2023 version that guarantees to be as soon as once more thrilling. Who will happen in Montpellier? What very first period for the new duo Pierre Mignoni – Franck Azéma at RC Toulon? Will the promoted Bayonne hold his spot in the top flight? These thoughts should really be answered in the coming months and months.
Top 14: who will acquire the Brennus Protect?
Previous 12 months Montpellier astonished every person by winning the Bouclier de Brennus. A to start with in the heritage of the club. For this new year, the MHR is the moment yet again one of the favorites for the title. Philippe Saint-André’s team has not improved substantially all through this small time. We also be aware the retreats of the historians Guilhem Guirado and Fulgence Ouedraogo or that of Benoît Paillaugue at RC Toulon. In terms of arrivals, Montpellier recorded the arrivals of Louis Carbonnel, New Zealand center Ben Lam and promising scrum-half Léo Coly. The will need to rejuvenate the troops to avoid the MHR from resting on its laurels.
In this race for the Brennus protect, Montpellier will confront Stade Toulousain and La Rochelle. The previous did not acquire a one title final year. Revanchard, the leaders of the Reds and the Blacks operated a massive recruiting driving. The purpose: to avert Toulouse from getting penalized by duplication and the absence of their national groups. With this in intellect, Pierre-Louis Barassi (Lyon), Antoine Retière (La Rochelle) and Paul Graou (Agen) have landed in the pink city. The internationals, Melvyn Jaminet (Perpignan) and Ange Capuozzo (Grenoble), total this XXL recruitment. What makes it possible for Toulouse to hope to experience a time crowned by coronation.
La Rochelle was not excluded. Right after successful its very first European Cup in its record very last year, the seafarers intend to tame the Leading 14. This is why the Yellow and Black have strike the sector really hard. Teddy Thomas (Racing 92), Antoine Hastoj (Autumn), Sergeant Ulupano (UBB) et Yoan Tanga Mangene (Racing 92) strengthens an by now outstanding squad. On the other hand, it will be necessary to regulate the absences of Victor Vito (retirement) or even of Ihaia West (RC Toulon) who possibility leaving a major void in the locker space. He instructs Ronan O’Gara to find the appropriate recipe for the Rochelais to win their 1st Brennus defend.
Castres, Racing 92 and UBB lurking
Not happy finalist towards Montpellier, Castres will be wanting to create on previous year’s good momentum. With an pretty much unchanged team, Pierre-Henry Broncan will try out to qualify Tarnais the moment once again in the ultimate phase. Now envisioned, it appears unlikely that Castres will qualify for the ultimate yet again.
A Prime 14 closing that Racing 92 hopes to find once more. The final title for the Racingmens dates again to 2016, an eternity for the club chaired by Jacky Lorenzetti. Barragiste past year, Laurent Travers’ adult males have the indicates to do much better. In particular considering that the Hauts-de-Seine club recorded the arrival of the vengeful Cameron Woki from UBB. The French global comes at Hauts-de-Seine to gain his to start with French league title of his job. This season will be exclusive for Racing 92. Without a doubt, the present-day supervisor, Laurent Travers, will consider around the club’s presidency up coming year. Thus, the racing period will be marked by a lot of rumors about his succession. Not necessarily quick to prepare for this period.
A different contender for the remaining victory, the UBB. The people of Bordeaux obtained a flavor of the odds by getting rid of in the Top rated 14 semi-remaining to Montpellier. A year that also triggered some turmoil concerning Christophe Urios and his executives (Woki and Jallibert). Christophe Urios has by now warned that his management is anticipated to modify this 12 months. A paid out interrogation? Close of time reaction. As for recruiting, the club has professional sizeable losses ofUlupano Seuteni (La Rochelle), Ben Lam (Montpellier), Thierry Paiva (La Rochelle), Louis Picamoles (retired) or even Cameron Woki (Racing 92). Billed to the new types (Vili, Miquel, Dimcheff) to compensate for his departures.
What time for Toulon, Clermont and Lyon?
It is time for a change in Toulon. RCT gamers have resumed schooling below the direction of an unparalleled tandem of Franck Azéma and Pierre Mignoni. The previous LOU strongman will come to aid Franck Azéma, who arrived during the year previous calendar year. While Pierre Mignoni will have an expanded position in the club by also getting care of schooling and hiring, it will be interesting to see how the duo will function. This will certainly be the crucial to the Toulon time. At the transfer window degree, RC Toulon acquired the signatures of Waisea Nayacalevu (Stade Français) or that of Dany Priso (La Rochelle). Include to this the return of Mathieu Bastareaud, Toulon have all the credentials to make a fantastic time in the Prime 14 this year.
One more revanchist staff to line up on the starting up line, Clermont. The Auvergnats skipped the 2021-2022 economical calendar year to only end in 7th spot. With their recruitment with the arrivals of Anthony Belleau (Toulon) or Jules Plisson (La Rochelle), Clermont evidently aims to return to the best 6. Even so, it will be essential to digest the departures of historic players these kinds of as Camille Lopez (Bayonne), Morgan Parra ( Stade Français) but also Wesley Fofana (retired). Clermont dressing home executives who will need to be replaced in phrases of leadership.
Outsider to the last victory, Lyon commences a new cycle. In fact, Xavier Garbajosa took more than from Pierre Mignoni. Now it can be up to him to rebuild a team that failed to qualify for the Best 14 finals for the second consecutive year. To return to the top rated 6, the former MHR mentor will be capable to count on the reinforcements of Kyle Godwin (Western Pressure), the promising centre Josiah Maraku (Narbonne) or even the professional Liam Coltman (Highlanders) in this mission.
Prime 14: A servicing battle between 3 teams?
Furthermore, the Stade Français wants to bounce again after its failed season (11a). This is why Gonzalo Quesada expects a ton from the arrivals of Morgan Parra (Clermont) and Biarrots, Mathieu Hirigoyen and Lucas Peyresblanques. Pau will test to keep on his development commenced previous season (10th). With this in head, the Area has made promising hires with the buys of the talented Sacha Zegueur (Oyonnax) and Emilien Gailleton (Agen).
If these two clubs are not immune from owning to fight to maintain their location in the elite, the battle for servicing need to entail 3 golf equipment. The to start with, Bayonne. The Basque club returns to the Top 14 only 1 12 months after leaving it. With Grégory Patat at the head of the club, Rowing desires to prevent building the elevator. For this, the practical experience of Camille Lopez (Clermont) and Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92) will not be as well a great deal for Bayonne.
Other teams ready to combat for their survival in the Best 14, Brive and Perpignan. The previous begins his fourth consecutive period as an elite. The Corréziens expect to endure when once again to the close to keep away from the ax of a descent in Professional D2. For the 2nd, the purpose will be earlier mentioned all to preserve the very good momentum of very last time. Having said that, it will be important to take care of the retirement of Damien Chouly or that of Melvyn Jaminet for the Stade Toulousain. A new dam seems inside get to of Perpignan.
The Television set application du Leading 14
As in prior years, the broadcasting rights for the Top 14 are held by Canal +. The Saturday posters at 3pm and 9pm and the Sunday evening shock at 9pm will be broadcast on the 4th French channel. The multiplex will also be broadcast on Canal +. The multiplex matches will be broadcast in comprehensive on the Rugby + antennas.
As each individual yr, the Prime 14 will be entitled to its clearly show, the Canal Rugby Club. Airing totally free-to-air Sundays at 8pm, Isabelle Ithurburu and her band will report on the weekend’s matches.
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Melvin Moya
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