After its European disappointments, Racing returns to an ordinary which suits it better. The leader of the Top 14 should, in principle, consolidate his position at the top of the class by hosting the promoted Oyonnax in his Paris La Défense Arena this Saturday (2 p.m.). The opportunity for the Ile-de-France club to spend a Christmas a little more peaceful than the previous one. The Ciel et Blanc had in fact received a real slap in the face from their neighbor Stade Français (10-48) on December 24, 2022, arousing memorable anger from president Jacky Lorenzetti.
If they are warned this time, Stuart Lancaster’s players will however have to be more bloody than in their last two outings: two defeats, at home against Harlequins (28-31) two weeks ago, then in Belfast against Ulster (31-15) seven days ago. “We didn’t get the results we hoped for in the Champions Cup, so we are ambitious against Oyonnax,” confirms third row center Kitione Kamikamica. The European Cup is something else, another level. For us, it is important to return to victory. »
Faced with the promoted, the English manager decided to rest Cameron Woki, in high demand, and especially Gaël Fickou, in poor form since his return to the field at the beginning of November after the elimination in the quarter-final of the World Cup by the Springboks (28-29) on October 15 at the Stade de France. Siya Kolisi will be present on the pitch at Nanterre this Saturday. “We have to be careful, because Oyonnax is also used to playing on a synthetic,” adds Kamikamica. This could be a complicated match. »
Racing 92 – Oyonnax
Saturday, 2 p.m. at Paris La Défense Arena
Racing 92: Spring – Wade, Klemenczak, Chavancy (cap.), Naituvi – (o) Gibert, (m) Le Garrec – Kolisi, Kamikamica, Baudonne – Rowlands, Sanconnie – Laclayat, Tarrit, Gogichashvili. entrance : Lancaster.
Oyonnax: Bouraux – Sweetnam, Bettencourt, Millet, Stark – (o) Miotti, (m) Ruru – Credoz, Godener, Lebreton – Battye, Lebas – Oz, Durand, Raynaud (cap.). Enter. : El Abd.
