The penultimate day of the championship features a match that allows for a double interpretation: the first being two teams that have already qualified and need to avoid injuries before the playoffs. This may explain the decision to field a team with a strong rotation between key players and the other remaining squad members.
The second interpretation is to fully commit to winning, which would most likely mean a better placement (5th instead of 6th) and, as a consequence, playing the playoff match against the 4th-place team rather than the 3rd-place team.
However, at the top of the standings, except for Massy, who are comfortably in first place, the battle for second place between Albi, Soyaux-Angoulême, and Valence-Romans is still ongoing… it’s hard to know what the best option will be.
Given the uncertainty, the Chambéry-Nice match will already have a taste of the finals. For the Nice team, there’s a desire to demonstrate they can perform well away from home, which hasn’t been the case in their recent outings.
In light of this, coach Bogashivili has chosen a mixed team of key starters and contenders to keep the squad in shape and all players focused on the finals.
The announced XV: 15 Le Gal, 14 Slowik, 13 Delage, 12 Mosses, 11 Alessi, 10 Lavernhe, 9 Ormaechoe, 7 Tachat, 8 Freytas, 5 Farret, 5 Calas, 4 Rey, 3 Neparidze, 2 Haupt, 1 Negrotto.
