The Top 14 resumes its rights this Saturday, December 21, and the MHR welcomes Racing 92 to the GGL Stadium (4:30 p.m.).
The Challenge bracket has closed, the “donations of playing time” and “player tests” phase is over. Time for the Top 14 and all that entails, that is to say: pressure, mandatory victory and typical team. To face Racing 92 (8th, 23 pts) this Saturday, the team ranked just above Montpellier (9th, 21 pts) overall, Joan Caudullo and his staff are recovering a few elements.
The Springbok Cobus Reinach, retained with South Africa for the autumn tour, returned from vacation this Monday morning. He is available for the reception of the Parisians, knowing that Ryan Louwrens played his last match last week against the Ospreys (59-15). Yacouba Camara, put in formalin during the Challenge, should regain his starting stripes, a week after announcing his extension.
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Simmonds and Van Rensburg out
On the other hand, some players were added to the infirmary during the match against the Welsh. Janse Van Rensburg felt a pinch in his hamstring and will not be on the match sheet against Racing. The same goes for the English third row, Sam Simmonds, who suffered a concussion and was rested this week.
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Enzo Forletta and Bastien Chalureau (ill) did not take part in the collective training this Thursday. This Thursday was still on the side of the pitch, just to attend the session.
In the front row, Georgian Nika Abuladze is recovering from an injury sustained during the autumn tour with Lelos. Mohamed Haouas, still on suspension, has still not returned to the club.
Jan Serfontein, who suffered a head injury last week and had to be stitched up, will be in the game this weekend.