There are not many clubs that have managed to stop Perpignan this season. They are even only three to have succeeded so far: Biarritz, Béziers and Colomiers. Twice for the Columérins if we take into account the friendly match in August (21-5) in addition to the success in the league on December 22 (23-18) after a second period stunning performance of Gori’s teammates.
Only, this evening, the Catalan equation with which the troops of Julien Sarraute will be confronted looks even more thorny. Already, the Perpignanais were able to quickly rectify the situation after the failure at the Bendichou stadium by winning in turn in Aix (41-34) then in Mont-de-Marsan (30-7), a way of remembering who is the boss of this Pro D2.
Then, the workforce must face a series of forfeits which complicated the preparation for this match. The infirmary was indeed “enriched” by the presence of Bézian (contracture), Gori (sprained knee), Girard (beginning of phlebitis), Ricard (pectoral tearing, end of season) while Soulan (foot) is not expected before the end of the month and that Palisson (concussion), Granouillet (suspension), Lescure (case of contact), Séguéla (case of contact with the U20 tricolors), Pirlet (shoulder), Beco (Achilles tendon) and Vici ( muscle pain) are unavailable. Without forgetting Delmas and Pimienta whose season is over.
The spirit of a group
So many absences, and in particular the Bezian-Gori-Girard spine, does not facilitate the task of the columérin staff who does not dismantle for all that, far from it. “The Perpignanais are on a super dynamic so if we look at them, we risk getting slapped,” warns Julien Sarraute who insists on the notion of group that inhabits this team. “This has been my speech since the start of the season, we have a great group, in which everyone is important and the team lined up tonight is consistent and will be very interesting. I hope they will have hungry, otherwise it could backfire. “
The Columérin coach who relies on the enthusiasm and determination of his troops, but also the freshness and envy of some players less used in recent times, knows that the Catalan equation will be difficult to resolve. But surely not impossible.
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