Castres, Sunday afternoon in Aimé-Giral, then the Stade Français in Jean-Bouin and Biarritz in Aguilera. USAP is preparing for three crucial weeks.
A car in the colors of the LOU was parked near the USAP training center at the Plaine des Sports on Tuesday morning. That of Xavier Chiocci, rushed to Perpignan after agreeing with the Catalan club to wear the blood and gold jersey for the end of the season, plus the next two seasons.
The Lyon international left pillar, trained in Toulon, has been hard at work since Monday and is available to coaches for the upcoming deadlines. “I am operational, ready to play if they call on me”, he confided this Tuesday at the end of training.
Chiocci’s arrival is a godsend for us
With the return to form of hooker Seilala Lam, Arthur Joly who has recovered well from his cervical problem, Patrick Arlettaz and his staff have forgotten the setbacks and grimaces of the match in Montpellier, where they lost for the end of the season suddenly. kick a left pillar (Tetrashvili) and a hooker (Tadjer). The first line has solidified.
“It lessens the evils we experienced three weeks ago, recognizes Patrick Arlettaz. Chiocci’s arrival is a godsend for us. You realize, with the means available to us, to manage to sign an international left-hander, and JIFF what’s more, that’s the best thing that could have happened to us. “ Even in lack of benchmarks, Xavier Chiocci is a reinforcement of weight which gives color to the pack of the USAP. “And how good Lam is …” Everything is fine. The other good news is the extension of Alan Brazo’s contract for the next two seasons. “We must also think about the next season”, adds Arlettaz.
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Top 14: USAP officially announces the signing of left pillar Xavier Chiocci
Tedder very uncertain
The only downside, the pain in the back of Tristan Tedder, contracted in Montpellier by the South African opener, is still present. It is very uncertain for the coming of Castres on Sunday. The USAP would have needed everyone to challenge a solid Tarn team, which again impressed with its state of mind last weekend in Munster (defeat 19-13).
“In Ireland, the CO looked like… Castres, assures the coach of the USAP. Its game corresponds to the state of mind of this Tarn team, to its territory. She has been in the top six places of the Top 14 for ten years. The Castres are efficient and what they put in place, in terms of the construction of their game, is interesting. They transform very well on the field what characterizes them: aggressiveness, the pressure they put on the opponent, the use of recovery balls. Make no mistake about it. Castres won in Clermont (34-30, September 11), and comes to Aimé-Giral to score points. They ticked off this match. And I think they are stronger than Toulon or Clermont, whom we beat at home… ”
USAP will be training tomorrow and Saturday morning, Christmas Day! “It’s the first time I’ve experienced this since I played rugby”, breathes Arlettaz. The price to pay to hope for a nice gift on Sunday.
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Alan Brazo extends two seasons at USAP
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