Despite a handicapped team, the Audois will step up to try to win their ticket for the round of 16, at 3 p.m. in Palau-del-Vidre.
The Lord Derby Cup is a competition that Villegailhenc-Aragon likes. It must be remembered that last season, VARL took on Toulouse, an Elite 1 club, in the round of 16 (48 to 22) before losing in the quarter (42 to 20) after great resistance against the future finalist Albi.
But before thinking about the round of 16 where it could once again meet the Tarnais, the VARL must go through an access roadblock by facing Palau on Catalan soil. Nothing is easy against this team which, after a dark period, is starting to gain strength. The Palauencs made the Aragonese tremble on December 3 in the championship before securing their first victory last Sunday against Salon-de-Provence. Encouraged by this success, they are ready to play a bad trick on the Audois.
Villegailhenc-Aragon is coming off a great victory won brilliantly against Lescure. Well brought by
Valentin Marot and Pierre Louis Bourrel, the Audois surely put out one of their best matches of the season by knowing how to vary their game and being realistic in the opposing twenty meters. On this last point, Quentin Nicol, the captain, still finds that it is not enough: “We still need to work on our efficiency in this area.” And yet, it is on this style of performance that the Audois must rely on to seek qualification.
There is, however, a problem that coach Alex Couttet highlights with some concern: “We are going to travel with a team reduced by eleven elements, including certain executives like Pierre Louis and Alexandre Bourrel, Delarosa, Soubeyras, Sacha Dumontet, Pau and Pelo, who is suspended.”
For the winner, Albi will then be on the menu
Fortunately, they will be able to count on the return of Rodriguez, who played with Carcassonne last weekend, and on Leaga, who is coming to perfect his physical condition. The team is automatically changed with Quentin Nicol, the captain, moving to the 3rd line, Rodriguez as pillar and Bélongrade as hooker.
Even with this remodeled group, Villegailhenc-Aragon maintains all its chances of qualifying for the round of 16 which will be played against Albi, an Elite 1 team.
The team: Arnaud, Dumond, Renu, Leaga, Y. Ahcini, Aubry, Marot, L. Banquet, Belongrade, Rodriguez, Balurin, Gau, Nicol (cap.). Substitutes: Gamis, S. Ahcini, Roger, Ferre.
2023-12-17 18:51:35
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