The BOPB victoriously opened the ball of the oval, this Thursday evening, after an interminable truce. Kick-off of a season in a context of absolute uncertainty and in a climate of concern.
–Biarritz Olympique is shaping up to be one of the favorites for Pro D2. For its part, Stade Montois has chosen the youth card to find new ambitions. In Top 14, Section Paloise and Aviron Bayonnais will start away with the desire to take a step forward this season by aiming for the finals
Biarritz-Perpignan (21-12) – A very promising first act
This Thursday evening, the Biarritz Olympique Basque Country marked his territory, facing one of the top names in Pro D2, confirming the fine intentions unveiled during the preparation matches. A good thing before going to test yourself outside, with the Montalbanais.
The Basques largely dominated the first half (15-0) and could have killed the match with a little more success, especially with 10 minutes to 15 against 13 (two successive yellow cards for the Blood and Gold before the break) . Two essays by Saili and Barry illustrated the edge of this team and its cavalry. Back from the locker room, change of scenery: The Catalans got their hands on the game, coming back to the score. But with calm and control, the BO preserved a well-deserved victory.
A good performance with seven of the summer recruits who showed their ability to integrate quickly, including the former All-Black (29 years old, 2 caps) Francis Saili untenable in the center, and the Fijian Henry Speight, ex- international with Australia (32, 19 caps), striking at the back. Also showed great things: Brieuc Plessis-Couillaud (from La Rochelle) in the center, Gilles Bosch (Carcassonne) at the opening, John Dyer (Racing) in 3rd row, Kevin Gimeno (Castres) in 2nd row, and François Da Ros (Brive) on tailgating.
1st day of Pro D2
- Thursday September 3: Biarritz-Perpignan (21-12)
- Friday September 4: Angoulême-Provence, Rouen-Carcassonne, Valence-Colomiers and Vannes-Aurillac (7 p.m.)
- Saturday September 5: Grenoble-Nevers (8:45 p.m.)
- Sunday September 6: Oyonnax-Montauban
- Monday September 7: Mont-de-Marsan-Béziers (7 p.m.)
2nd day of Pro D2
- Thursday September 10: Perpignan-Mont de Marsan (8:45 p.m.)
- Friday September 11: Provence-Vannes, Béziers-Angoulême, Carcassonne-Oyonnax, Colomiers-Rouen, Nevers-Valence (7 p.m.)
- Saturday September 12: Aurillac-Grenoble (8:45 p.m.)
- Sunday September 13: Montauban-Biarritz (2 p.m.)
Montpellier-Pau – A real test without excessive pressure
Friday September 4 at 8:45 p.m. (Canal + Sport)
The Section Paloise will enter with appetite in this championship which will be unlike any other and which could hold many surprises. It intends, like last season, to be a conqueror away from home. Facing one of the big teams, she must play without complex to forge a strong mentality.
Pau chose to start with a classic team and to integrate only one recruit in the starting XV, Eliott Roudil, from La Rochelle (the winger will play in the center); New Zealand opener Mike Harris is on the bench. The other “new ones will be waiting: Steven Cummins, Tumua Manu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Hugo Bonneval.
Note, the tenure of Le Bail in the scrum (Daubagna is replacing). For the rest, no surprise, the staff decided to trust their executives from last season.
The starting XV : Malié – Fumat (cap), Roudil, Vatubua, Votu – (o) Hastoy, (m) Le Bail – Gunther, Habel-Küffner, Puech – Metz, Pesenti – Boughanmi, Lespiaucq, Calles.
The substitutes : Rey, Moïse, Erbani, Tagagagivalu, Daubagna, Harris, Dumoulin, Adriaanse.
As a reminder, several important players have left the Section: Colin Slade, Ben Smith, Tom Taylor, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Pierre Nueno and Bastien Pourailly.
For its part, Montpellier will be able to count on most of its stars, including the world champion Pollard. Landes international full-back Bouthier could make sparks with his friend Rattez from La Rochelle. The young international center, Arthur Vincent, will be captain.
The starting XV : Bouthier – Ngendebe, Serfontein, Vincent (cap), Rattez – Pollard, Paillaugue – Camara, Timu, Galletier – Willemse, Van Renseburg – Lamositele, Guirado, Forletta.
The substitutes : Du Plessis, Fichten, Chalureau, Becognee, Reinach, Lozowski, Reilhac, Brennan.
1st day of Top 14
- Friday September 4: Montpellier-Pau (8:45 p.m.).
- Saturday September 5: La Rochelle-Toulon (3.15 p.m.); Agen-Castres, Lyon-Racing (6 p.m.).
- Sunday September 6: Brive-Bayonne (8:45 p.m.); Clermont-Toulouse (9 p.m.).
- Postponed: Stade Français-Bordeaux.
Day 2 of Top 14
- Friday September 11: Pau-Agen and Racing-Montpellier (8:45 p.m.)
- Saturday September 12: Toulouse-La Rochelle (3.15 p.m.); Bayonne-Clermont and Bordeaux-Brive (6.15 p.m.)
- Sunday September 13: Castres-Stade Français (8:45 p.m.) and Toulon-Lyon (9 p.m.)
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