The Rugby Nice Cรดte dโAzur is guaranteed to maintain its 2nd place in pool 3 regardless of the outcome, but it still has a slim chance of finishing 1st if it wins with the offensive bonus point and at the same time Bรฉziers loses at home against Chateaurenard without the defensive bonus point. Unlikely.
This match against Saint-Etienne is thus mainly an opportunity to get back into the rhythm of competition after a month-long break under training conditions that were not always ideal due to frequent rains that fell on Nice in recent weeks. It’s a chance to conduct final tests before tackling serious matters, without pressure but with the firm intention of winning. Thus, second-row Leduc will make his first appearance in team 1 this season, while Lomรฉ Faโatau, having recovered from his injury, will make his grand return.
Prop Traversa, third-row Ormรฉa, centers Ngawini and Keil, wingers Roman and Malavard will be left available for the B team, which will face its Stรฉphanoise counterpart in the opening match at 1:30 PM. Beattie, Rouillier, Herrera, Ducourtieux are, for their part, injured.
It should be noted that Rugby Nice Cรดte dโAzur is mobilizing on this occasion in support of the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
