Three days from the final of the Champions Cup against Northampton, all the lights are in the green or almost on the Bordeaux side. And not only due to the victory won against Castres on Saturday, on the occasion of the 24th day of Top 14 which allows him to count five points ahead of Toulon in the race in second place, qualifying for the semi-finals.
Wounded in the ankle during the victory against Toulouse in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, Damian Penaud, who resumed the race on Friday and trains normally, will thus be holder on his right wing. Likewise, Tevita Tatafu, absent for long months, has returned and competes in Pete Samu the place of holder at the number 8 post.
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The situation is more precarious in the English ranks. The last meeting of the English championship against Saracens left traces. If the saints have indeed won despite the 17 pauses displayed at the break, no less than four players, all holders in the semi-final of Champions Cup against Toulouse, had to go out on injury.
Northampton infirmary full to crack
If the hooker Curtis Langdon, who felt a point in the calf, and James Ramm, a victim suddenly in the tibia, should be restored, the second Fijian line Temo Mayanavanua, hit in ankle, and the third line Alex Coles, injured in the knee, are still uncertain for Saturday.
But while the English infirmary is packed, with already George Furbank, Sam Graham, George Hendy, George Makepeace-Cubitt, Archie McParland, Burger Odendaal, Tom Pearson, Toby Thame, Charlie Savala, Ollie Sleightholme, Robbie Smith and Tom West, Juarno Augustus, the impressive South African number 8, irresistible during the semi-final against Leinster. The former story player, who will leave Northampton at the end of the season, he himself announced on social networks. A real blow for saints.
