Everything would be fine in the best of worlds for the Parisians if a strange curse did not lurk within the pack. A curious epidemic indeed affects one position in particular, that of the second line. They are five on the flank. Paul Gabrillagues (knee), Matthieu De Giovanni (pectoral), Baptiste Pesenti (ankle), Pierre-Henri Azagoh (shoulder), and the latest Juan John Van der Mescht (dislocated shoulder) are on the sidelines.
Which is not the best way to approach a match with the red lantern, which sails seven points behind thirteenth, Brive, forced to win to try to save its place in the Top 14. The trip to Perpignan, this Saturday (5 p.m.) therefore promises to be a bit trickier than it initially seemed on paper, between a Stade Français, dolphin of Toulouse, in full confidence and solid in all compartments and struggling Catalans.
“We are going to grit our teeth, assures manager Gonzalo Quesada. We will try to focus on what we can control, on what depends on us. Without looking for excuses. “The third line Sekou Macalou and the center Julien Delbouis, retained with the XV of France, will not be on the trip. “It’s a survival match for Perpignan, it will be complicated,” says Parisian hooker Mickael Ivaldi.
The teams
Perpignan: Tedder – Tilsley, Taumoepeau, De La Fuente (cap.), Crossdale – (o) Mc Intyre, (m) Deghmache – Bachelier, Lemalu, Shields – Faasalele, Labouteley – Halanukonuka, Lam, Tetrashvili. Entr. : Arlettaz.
French Stadium: Barre – Tui, Ward, Arrate, Etienne – (o) Seconds, (m) Hall – Chapuis, Habel-Kuffner, Briatte (cap.) – Timani, Kremer – Melikidze, Ivaldi, Castets. Entr. : Cheesecake.