Bayonne Boost as Key Players Return Ahead of Clermont Clash
Bayonne, France – Aviron Bayonnais received a significant boost ahead of Saturday’s Top 14 match against Clermont (2:30 p.m. kickoff) with several injured players returning to training on Tuesday. Though, the team will be without captains Baptiste Chouzenoux and Arthur Iturria.
Approximately 35 players participated in a full training session at Jean Dauger, following a recovery day after a 47-24 defeat to Pau. Currently sidelined are Tatafu, Tagi, Jantjies, Calles, Cormenier, Chouzenoux, Castillon, Traversier, Hodge, Iturria, Machenaud, Levêque, and Martocq.
Number eight Rodrigo Bruni (ankle) and flanker Alexandre Fischer (triceps) rejoined the squad, potentially vying for starting positions alongside Esteban Capilla in the back row. Manex ariceta, Giovanni Habel-Küffner, and Rob Leota are also available. The front row sees Andy Bordelai as the sole fit professional pillar on the left, with Pascal Cotet and Marco Fepulea’i available on the right. Vincent Giudicelli is suspended following a yellow card against Pau, and Lucas Martin missed the session as a precaution.Facundo Bosch and Emerick Setiano are competing for positions up front.
Baptiste Germain, who withdrew last week with adductor discomfort, trained fully and is in contention to play.Baptiste Tilloles, who cramped up during the Pau match, also participated. Joris Segonds and Gareth Anscombe are both available at fly-half, with Segonds favored to start.
Sireli Maqala (ankle) trained without apparent issue, while Mateo Carreras, returning from international duty, could make his Top 14 debut on the wing. Victor Hannoun, Yohan Orabé, and Tom Spring are also options for the wing position, though Spring observed the session without participating. Cheikh Tiberghien is in good form to start at fullback.
Argentinian players Lucas Paulos has returned to training after being with the Pumas and is in contention to face ASM.
