National. Decisive derby between CSBJ and SOC, new big shock for VRDR… Stakes of the 23rd day

Bourgoin-Gallieu – Chambéry (Saturday, 6.30pm)

Revitalized by a draw in Bourg-en-Bresse on Friday (20-20), but above all well helped by an almost identical result of Tarbes against Suresnes (19-19), Bourgoin is still sixth. At the end of Day 23 and that derby against Chambery will be a big deal… With four games left before the finale of the regular season, this means CSBJ is unable to secure a place in qualification. For the last stages of the third division, which no one wants to imagine Pierre Rajon, starting with Gregoire Bentheau, coach of the attackers: “We do not need anyone to go where we want, we are the master of our destiny. It will be like a final stage match.”

Berjalliens will be deprived of the second line Lavetanakoroi and the right column Simutoga (hanging), as well as the other right column, de Klerk, 3^H Revoir Line, Morton Center, and Leota (wounded). Against a Savoyard lineup that’s coming back strongly – three wins in a row – Nicolas Cachet and his teammates claim to have taken a measure of context: “We approach this Derby with confidence and a lack of confidence,” says the author, author of her November Wire Test win. “There are four games left, if we win all four games we will qualify. There will be no need to look at what the Tarbes are doing. We are focused on us.”

By beating Nice last Friday (19-17), Champerion (eighth with 56 points) has done the task of getting the Derby with a big stake in the sixteen.^H And the last place in the playoffs at Stade Pierre Ragon on Saturday against Bergalian, who leads them by only 5 points after they drew at the Stade Bourg-en-Bresse. Chambery restarted it with three straight wins, with four games remaining. But still without any right to foul, especially on Saturday against his main rival. Which would also resonate like “revenge in the first match”, according to Cyril Fillin, conceding this defeat in November to a try from Isère after injury time (19-26).

For this match, the group of 23 changes little: SOC will still be without Gauthier Bruté de Rémur hooker (hit to the ribs) but will bring back their three-quarter centre-half, full-back or New Zealand opener Aviata Silago, in difficulty for a month with a quadriceps muscle. Left winger on loan from Toulon Fabio Gonzalez, in Portugal this week for his physics studies, is also not available.

DAX – Valencia Roman (Saturday, 7pm)

After brilliantly passing the Albigensian test last Friday (20-6 win), Valence-Romans attack the Drôme-Rugby leader during this 23^H National day. Dax Showdown Saturday 1^any April (7pm), VRDR will try to take revenge after the conceded defeat in the first leg (20-24), and at the same time close part of the points gap (7) that separates them from the leaders. In optics end the regular season on the throne.

It is definitely a good time to go to Dacquois, who have lost their last two matches (33-22 in Blagnac, 6-11 against Albi) and who have suffered a slew of injuries in recent weeks, while VRDR is navigating a three-win streak (against Burgoyne, Sorens and Alby). For this fixture at the top of the division, VRDR have made 7 changes in their starting XV compared to Albi (and in particular their entire first line), and can count on their captain Alexis Armory (3^H wing line), after two weeks of absence.

XV Beginning

Gupt-Vargas, Boldwar, Tapualevo, Emerson – Mora (m), Menzel (m) – Yagashvili, Gerlando, Army (hat) – Dyer, Owais – Joz, Jimenez, Aliu. Substitutes (to choose from: Zouhair, Boundjema, Fincham, Pelo, Gorenewald, Brayer, Bruchet, Dupas, Méret, Pauvert, Wierenga.