1
Finally, better injury news for Clermont
By James Harrington
Top 14 champions Clermont look to have turned an injury corner heading into the crucial fifth round of the Champions Cup.
A week after teenage winger Samuel Ezeala suffered a horrific head injury in the Top 14 defeat to Racing 92, last season's losing European finalists have welcomed centre Remi Lamerat and hooker Benjamin Kayser back from injury.
"It's good to see Remi back in the squad, and Benjamin too," head coach Franck Azema told journalists this week as his squad prepares to meet Pool 2 bottom club Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.
For a while, Clermont faced the distinct possibility of having only six backs registered with Champions Cup organisers for the weekend's trip. But, three-quarter stocks are improving, with Lamerat's return, and Isaia Toeava avoiding sanction after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Geoffrey Palis in the New Year's Eve defeat to Castres.
The club also quietly registered Luke McAlister on its European squad list this week. The former All Black has not played for the club since breaking a bone in his hand in his second match after joining the club as a medical joker in early December. Azema refused to confirm whether McAlister was in the frame for the Northampton game, saying only: "Either this weekend or next weekend, we hope to get him back."
Meanwhile, Fijian-born France international Noa Nakaitaci - who has been out with a knee-injury since April - is set to train with the rest of the squad on Monday, Azema said. "There's been clear improvement in the past two weeks," he added.
Scottish international Greig Laidlaw, too, is expected to return from a broken leg ahead of the Six Nations, which kicks off in less than a month.
Despite the returnees, Clermont's injury list remains horrifyingly long.
Samuel Ezeala, Camille Lopez, Wesley Fofana, Aurelien Rougerie, David Strettle, Sitaleki Timani, Charlie Cassang, Patricio Fernandez, Damian Penaud and Alivereti Raka among the backs filling up chairs in the infirmary.
They are joined by forwards Loni Uhila, Judicael Cancoriet, and Peceli Yato.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Four England talking points after their Six Nations rout of Wales
3
What Steve Borthwick told Matt Sherratt following Wales debacle
4
England player ratings vs Wales | 2025 Six Nations
5
Latest Comments
Morphohack Successfully Recovered My USDT/BTC From GainBitcoin Scam.
My name is Mukesh and I was a victim of a GainBitcoin scam where I was promised huge returns from my investment not knowing I was being conned by GainBitcoin, I lost 22 million Indian rupees to this scam which I thought was gone forever after the whole scheme was down, however, I came across Morphohack Cyber Service, who was able to help me trace and recover my USDT and BTC funds and after several months of waiting for the CBI to begin their investigation, Morphohack Cyber Service was able to help me recover my USDT/BTC in a few hours. It’s such a pity that such a scam could be allowed to continue for so long and if not for the services of Morphohack Cyber Service, I would have lost my money forever. I’m recommending Morphohack services to everyone affected by the GainBitcoin scam. I can confidently assure you that Morphohack can recover any crypto assets no matter how long you have lost them. Below is their contact information.
E-mail: Morphohack@cyberservices.com
Go to commentsMorphohack Successfully Recovered My USDT/BTC From GainBitcoin Scam.
My name is Mukesh and I was a victim of a GainBitcoin scam where I was promised huge returns from my investment not knowing I was being conned by GainBitcoin, I lost 22 million Indian rupees to this scam which I thought was gone forever after the whole scheme was down, however, I came across Morphohack Cyber Service, who was able to help me trace and recover my USDT and BTC funds and after several months of waiting for the CBI to begin their investigation, Morphohack Cyber Service was able to help me recover my USDT/BTC in a few hours. It’s such a pity that such a scam could be allowed to continue for so long and if not for the services of Morphohack Cyber Service, I would have lost my money forever. I’m recommending Morphohack services to everyone affected by the GainBitcoin scam. I can confidently assure you that Morphohack can recover any crypto assets no matter how long you have lost them. Below is their contact information.
E-mail: Morphohack@cyberservices.com
Go to comments