Will Samuel Marques have to throw in the towel ? Injured in the shoulder, the rugby player could be sidelined for several months from the Béziers pitches

Samuel Marques doit être opéré d’une épaule assez rapidement. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

Suffering from a shoulder injury, scrum-half Samuel Marques could undergo surgery and join the infirmary for several months. His absence would be added to that of second row Pierre Gayraud, “out” for at least three months. Hans Nkinsi, has appealed the court decision convicting him of domestic violence. While this appeal suspends his sentence (18 months in prison, 6 of which are firm), he still does not have the green light from the club to play again.

In terms of squad, the year 2025 is not really starting under the best auspices for ASBH. Scrum-half Samuel Marques could end his season early. He has been suffering for several weeks, in fact, at the level of the rotator cuff of one of his shoulders. The medical profession is unanimous: he must be operated on as soon as possible.

Also awaiting the verdict of the League's disciplinary committee

Especially since he is suffering and is therefore not able to play at 100% of his abilities. Insisting could, in the long term, make his condition worse… For the time being, four days before the resumption of the 2025 version of the championship (Béziers hosts Nice, Friday, January 10), the player has not made any decision.

Furthermore, whatever happens, Samuel Marques will have to leave the field temporarily. Accused of having spat in the face of a hostess during the Rugby Night which took place last September in Paris, he must explain his actions on Wednesday, January 15, before the disciplinary committee of the National Rugby League. He could be suspended for up to 10 weeks. In any case, especially if he has an operation, the absence of the scrum-half will weigh on the club, which will have to find a replacement.

A big void in the second row

To make things a little worse at the start of the year, second row Pierre Gayraud has joined the Béziers infirmary. Seriously injured in a knee, he will be out for at least three months. If we add to that the fact that Hans Nkinsi is no longer in the squad, there are only Shahn Eru and Cameron Dodson, real second rows by trade, who are available in this position.

Hans Nkinsi still doesn't know if he'll be able to play again

On Monday, December 16, Hans Nkinsi was sentenced by the Béziers Criminal Court to 18 months in prison, including 6 months in prison, for domestic violence. Having appealed this decision, his conviction suspends his sentence. He can therefore, in theory, play again while awaiting the new judgment. However, he has not received the green light from the club, which has not yet decided on his fate.

For their part, the players voted unanimously for his return to the squad. If ASBH decides not to play him, he will eventually have to be replaced. Since the second row is not injured, a medical joker cannot be recruited for his position. ASBH will have to dig into its pocket and hire a new player. With a major problem if we take a look at the statistics of Béziers at the level of the use of Jiff (Players from training courses). Each professional rugby club must align 16, on average per match, over the entire season. At the risk of being financially sanctioned, or even losing points. Hans Nkinsi is a Jiff. If he must be replaced, it would therefore be wise to find a player with the same training profile. For the moment, since the start of the season, Béziers is at minus six.

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