Reorganization of the Stade Rochelais manpower to receive the Bordeaux-Beagle federation

Due to injuries and some executives taking a break, La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara has upset his squad against Bordeaux, on Friday December 23 (6:45pm) at Stade Marcel Deflander, for the 13th day of the Top 14.

In spite of Victory over Al-Satr, Saturday (29-36)
The match left its mark on the La Rochelle team. A number of injured players will miss Friday’s Bordeaux Begley game.

Long list of injured

Grade 3 Yoann Tanga tore a pectoral muscle and will be out for several weeks, according to his coach, Ronan O’Gara. New Zealand halves Taweera Kerr Barlow suffered a concussion during the match against Northern Ireland.

Thomas Lafolt will also be absent: the second row couldn’t even make the trip to Ulster due to an elbow injury. O’Gara hopes to get him back in mid-January, to play the next two matches in the European Cup (traveling to Northampton on January 14 and then receiving Ulster on January 21).

Finally, pole Léo Aouf is also considered unfit with a knee injury.

Tire blowing

The pace at the start of 2023 promises to be tough for the Yellow and Lions with one match a week until the home game against Lyon on February 4. That’s seven meetings in a row! “We hit a series of matches: Bordeaux, Perpignan and Toulouse are in the top 14Ronan O’Gara noted at a press conference on Wednesday. I will look at players who have less playing time to give them some time.”

Among the released players will be Antoine Hastoy. Still, La Rochelle’s opener was in exceptional form as he scored 26 against Ulster. But “He gave a lot to the team and he needs to rest”, issued a decision on the Irish coach. Remy Bordeaux and Jonathan Dante will also be saved.

Oene Atunyu will be on the score sheet, but as a substitute.