Life in French Top 14 is tough for Paddy Jackson
TOP 14, WEEK FIVE: Newly-promoted clubs Perpignan and Grenoble remain winless and rock bottom of the Top 14 table, though the two sides face off Saturday in the hope of a first victory.
Both Perpignan, marshalled by former Ulster and Ireland flyhalf Paddy Jackson, and Grenoble have played four, lost four, looking light squad-wise in comparison to their bigger-budget rivals.
Grenoble lost their opening three games [against La Rochelle, Toulouse and Pau] by a combined total of just 13 points, before going down 13-29 to champions Castres last week.
Perpignan were thrashed by Stade Francais, before suffering narrow defeats by Agen and Lyon, and then most recently folding in the second half in a 10-37 defeat by La Rochelle.
“We know that every match brings satisfaction even though the results aren’t there,” insisted Perpignan coach Christian Lanta, whose side beat Grenoble three times in the ProD2 second division last season.
“We respect Grenoble… Saying we must win is all very well, but I’m looking at what ingredients we need to help boost results.
“We work a lot on individual efficiency in a bid to rid ourselves of individual errors.
“If that is present, we know we have the chance of getting a good result against Grenoble.”
Lanta added: “I’ve read some pessimistic things about us. Let them write and say what they want. We’re only at the fourth weekend of the season.”
Perpignan welcome back flank Mamea Lemalu and centre Afusipa Taumoepeau, both rested for the 10-37 defeat by La Rochelle last week.
Grenoble, however, are still missing flank Clement Ancely, Australian scrumhalf Ben Lucas, flyhalf Franck Pourteau and wing Lucas Dupont through injuries.
After coming back from a long-term groin injury, former Brive fullback Gaetan Germain scored his first points of the season for his new club against Castres last week, but could miss the run-out against Perpignan with an eye injury that saw him receive several stitches.
Top 14 leaders Clermont have won all four of their games to date and travel to Bordeaux-Begles for Saturday’s early match.
Mourad Boudjellal’s Toulon side are suffering, in 12th position with just one victory to their name.
The three-time European champions’ week went from bad to worse when iconic centre Mathieu Bastareaud was suspended for five weeks for hitting Castres’ defenceless lock Christophe Samson at a ruck.
Toulon host Agen, while Montpellier will look to bounce back from shipping 55 points to Lyon last week against Toulouse, at home.
“The time has come for us to turn our season around,” vowed Montpellier’s giant Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo, though Toulouse will prove a hard nut to crack having won three and drawn one so far.
Fixtures:
Saturday:
Bordeaux-Begles v Clermont
Grenoble v Perpignan
La Rochelle v Lyon
Toulon v Agen
Racing 92 v Castres
Sunday:
Pau v Stade Francais
Montpellier v Toulouse
Agence France-Presse
