Nice travels to Lavaur on Sunday. The Tarn team is a direct competitor in the race for qualification. The match will be tough. But Manu Boutet’s team has two consecutive beautiful victories under its belt. The first at home against Romans, with the gain of the offensive bonus. The second at Chateaurenard, where it is exceedingly difficult to win.
It will inevitably be the same on Sunday, as the Tarn team has one of the most balanced teams in the pool. “It is one of the best defenses in Fédérale 1, all divisions combined,” notes coach Manu Boutet. Lavaur also offers a lot of gameplay. It is not for nothing that only Béziers has managed to achieve victory there. But, as in every match, we will travel for a quality opposition.”
And aiming for victory is indeed the mission of David Penalva and his team this weekend. It is not an easy task. But the Nice team has real resources as well as collective values, which are evident and are currently leading to an ascent in the standings.
Qualification for the final phases of the division is a goal deeply rooted in the will of each player. This qualification necessarily involves consistent results and high-level performances. The week of practice has been very studious. The team has been put in the best conditions to prepare for this clash.
Unfortunately, some physical issues are once again hindering the team’s progress. While Davit Kacharava is returning after a fruitful trip (he scored three tries) to Georgia to meet (and easily beat) Ukraine, Tom Mège (fracture of the metacarpal of one hand at Châteaurenard) is unavailable. He underwent surgery successfully this week. Rudy Keil is also sidelined after an acromioclavicular sprain. They are not the only backs not traveling to Midi-Pyrénées as Youss Dramé, Paddy Warwick, and Mark Mc Hugh are also in the infirmary. Just like the scrum sector, which, although seeing the return of Damien Canizares, is not spared (Faurois, Gaona, Hill, Mackie, Derrstroff), resources are becoming limited.
But the ambition remains. And if the RNCA managed to achieve the feat of stringing together a third consecutive victory, the future could look promising…
The summoned group (24)
Forwards: Mezencev, J. Sua, Vizet, Guarese, Boukanoucha, Sainte-Croix, Canizares, R. Uipa Sua, Dahbi, Kaikelikofe, Penalva (captain), Okouya, Ormea, Espagno
Backs: Guerre, Panizzi, Kacharava, Delmonte, Sa, Malavard, Carsenac, Lapierre, Benstaali, Mathet
Summoned to the reserve team: Moxham, Cazaux, Catoni, Herrera
Summoned to the under-21 team: Musso, Laadila
Injured: Faurois (calf), Gaona (ankle), Hill (neck), Mackie (ankle), Derrstroff (rest), Keil (shoulder sprain), Mc Hugh (biceps), Dramé (shoulder), Warwick (back), Mège (hand)
Source: www.rnca.fr
In the photo: Arnaud Mathet in action
